Sources close to the team revealed that several players are unhappy with Samuel Chukwueze over his missed penalty during the shootout loss to host nation Morocco. The situation has allegedly created a quiet but noticeable strain within the squad, particularly among senior players.
According to reports, Chukwueze’s body language before and after taking the decisive kick did not sit well with his teammates. The Fulham loanee was seen chewing gum as he stepped up to take the penalty, and his reaction after missing the spot kick was described as casual, a demeanor some players reportedly interpreted as unprofessional.
While acknowledging that penalty misses are part of football, a source disclosed that the issue went beyond the miss itself. The source explained that other players, including Bruno, had also failed to convert penalties in the past, but Chukwueze’s perceived lack of urgency and emotion after the miss angered some of the more experienced members of the team.
Further revelations suggest that Chukwueze was not initially expected to feature in the semifinal clash due to a groin injury. According to insiders, his inclusion in the match came as a surprise, as he was reportedly not fully fit and had not been penciled in to play.
However, another account has emerged to clarify the coaching decision. A separate source disclosed that Chukwueze had been one of the most reliable penalty takers during training sessions, consistently converting his attempts. In contrast, Victor Osimhen, despite being a regular penalty taker for his club, was said to have struggled from the spot during team drills.
It was on the strength of Chukwueze’s impressive training record that the coaching staff reportedly opted to include him specifically for the penalty shootout.
As the Super Eagles turn their attention to the third-place match, the coaching crew is expected to manage the situation carefully to ensure team unity ahead of the crucial encounter with Egypt.