Nigeria’s AFCON Run Ends in Penalties Against Morocco, Osayi-Samuel Reflects on Performance.
Nigeria’s AFCON Run Ends in Penalties Against Morocco, Osayi-Samuel Reflects on Performance.
Super Eagles right-back Bright Osayi-Samuel praised the Nigerian defense after their semi-final loss to Morocco at AFCON. Despite the disappointment, Osayi-Samuel commended the back-four of Calvin Bassey, Semi Ajayi, Bruno Onyemaechi, and himself for their outstanding performance throughout the match. The game, held in Morocco, was tightly contested, ending in a 0-0 draw after 120 minutes, leading to a penalty shootout.
Osayi-Samuel expressed pride in Nigeria’s display, highlighting the solid defensive effort. He acknowledged the role of luck in penalty shootouts, noting that Nigeria’s defeat was painful but also part of the game’s unpredictable nature. The Super Eagles missed their penalties when Samuel Chukwueze and Onyemaechi’s attempts were saved by Morocco’s goalkeeper, Yassine Bounou.
Reflecting on the match, Osayi-Samuel said, “It’s very painful to lose. I think we played very well. The back-four defense was amazing. I am proud of the team.” He also mentioned that the Nigerian manager was proud of the players’ effort, despite the heartbreak of elimination.
The match was a display of resilience from Nigeria, but ultimately, Morocco triumphed 4-2 in the penalty shootout, advancing to the final. Osayi-Samuel’s praise for his teammates underscores the team’s strong defensive performance and unity. Although Nigeria’s journey in this AFCON ended in disappointment, the players’ effort and resilience have been widely appreciated by fans and officials alike. The team now looks ahead to future tournaments, with lessons learned from this intense and competitive semi-final encounter.
