Bright Osayi-Samuel, the Super Eagles’ dynamic defender, didn’t hold back his emotions after Nigeria’s heartbreaking exit from the African Cup of Nations semi-final on Wednesday.
Facing hosts Morocco, the match ended in a penalty shootout, with Nigeria falling 4-2, leaving the team and fans disappointed but not broken.
A Tough Exit, But Pride Remains
“It’s painful. Of course, we wanted to get to the final, but I’m proud of the team, we took them to penalties,” Osayi-Samuel said in an emotional post-match interview with Super Sports Football.
He highlighted the resilience and effort of his teammates, noting that despite the odds stacked against them, the squad fought valiantly until the very end.
Coach Chelle’s Message Resonates
The defender emphasized the strong sense of unity within the camp.
Head coach Eric Chelle’s immediate words after the match focused on pride and togetherness, reinforcing the team’s family-like spirit.
“He was proud of us, very proud of us. You know, we’re a family, and you can see that we pushed.
Obviously disappointed because we wanted to bring this back home for our fans… but we look forward to the next game,” Osayi-Samuel explained.
Reflecting on the Team’s Growth
Even in defeat, the defender saw positives in Nigeria’s performance.
He praised the tactical maturity and playing style that Chelle has instilled in the squad.
“We played well. The style of play, the way we controlled teams… Second half, we had Morocco on the back foot at their stadium.
We’re a work in progress, and that’s all thanks to the manager,” he said.
Eyes on the Third-Place Play-Off
Despite the sting of missing the final, Osayi-Samuel shifted focus to the bronze medal match against Egypt on Saturday.
He expressed confidence that the team’s experience in high-pressure games would help them bounce back quickly.
“There are a lot of players who have lost in big games before.
We know how to bounce back in a day or two.
Egypt are a good team, but we have the experience to recover and aim for third place,” he noted.
Criticism of Match Officiating
In a separate interview with AdemolaVictorTv, Osayi-Samuel expressed frustration with the refereeing during the semi-final.
While he insisted officiating wasn’t the reason for Nigeria’s defeat, he described several decisions as “appalling” and lamented the quality of refereeing in such a critical game.
“It’s really painful to see referees like that in a big match,” he said.
Looking Forward
Nigeria’s AFCON 2025 campaign may have ended short of the final, but the Super Eagles still have a chance to leave with silverware.
The team will face Egypt, aiming to secure a bronze medal and finish the tournament on a positive note.
For Osayi-Samuel, the message is clear: pride in the team’s progress, learning from setbacks, and preparing for the next challenge.
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