Why Eric Chelle Left Out Troost-Ekong: Insider Also Reveals Osimhen Tried to Return After Halftime

Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle has tried to calm the storm surrounding Nigeria’s painful penalty shootout loss to DR Congo, insisting his decision to keep William Troost-Ekong on the bench was based on what he felt the team needed in the final moments.

The match drifted toward penalties late in extra time, and many fans expected Troost-Ekong, the team’s most trusted penalty taker, to come on. Instead, Eric Chelle chose Chidozie Awaziem, a move that sparked strong reactions across social media.

Speaking to journalists after the game, Chelle explained that the decision was not as straightforward as it looked from the outside.

“We did a penalty session yesterday. But it was a choice and if we come back maybe one hour later and this is not the same,” Chelle said.

“It was a choice because I did feel that we were in danger during the ten last minutes that is why we put another defender.

“So, it is easy now to say maybe the best choice was the captain. So, it was a choice and reality we lost and I have to be focused on the next competition.”

While attention focused on Troost-Ekong, another major subplot has emerged from the defeat. Fresh information suggests Victor Osimhen was desperate to continue despite picking up a minor hamstring concern.

FlashScore editor Shina Oludare revealed on that he had breakfast with a member of the national team’s technical crew, who confirmed that Osimhen pushed hard to return after halftime but the coaching staff refused.

Oludare wrote: “Had breakfast with a member of the Super Eagles technical crew this morning.

“He told me Osimhen was begging to play in the second half despite the injury, but they turned him down to avoid aggravating it with AFCON around the corner.

“Yet some of you still come online to tweet pure jargon.”