Iwobi Defends Chukwueze, Onyemaechi After Penalty Misses Against Morocco

Super Eagles midfielder Alex Iwobi has come out strongly in defence of teammates Samuel Chukwueze and Bruno Onyemaechi following the criticism they received after Nigeria’s painful semi-final exit at the Africa Cup of Nations.

Nigeria were eliminated by hosts Morocco after a 0–0 draw over 120 minutes at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat, eventually losing 4–2 on penalties. Chukwueze and Onyemaechi missed their spot-kicks, a moment that sparked backlash from some sections of Super Eagles fans.

Ahead of Nigeria’s third-place playoff clash against Egypt on Saturday evening, Iwobi addressed the situation in a video shared on social media, calling for understanding and support rather than blame.

“I want to do a shout out to Samuel Chukwueze and Bruno Onyemaechi,” Iwobi said. “Of course, they have been so very good for us in this tournament. Samuel got the two assists against Uganda. Bruno has been doing really well at left-back, running up and down.

“I am proud of them because it is not easy to step up and take a penalty. So I don’t want anybody to criticize them, but applaud their bravery and courage to go take the penalty. We are standing behind them and everyone in the team.”

TalkTalk Nigeria reports that Chukwueze, in particular, became a target of heavy criticism despite his key contributions earlier in the competition, while Onyemaechi’s consistent performances at left-back were largely overlooked after the shootout miss.

Opinion: Football Is Won by Teams, Not Blame Games

Iwobi’s message is a timely reminder of what football truly represents — collective effort, shared responsibility, and unity in both victory and defeat. Penalties are among the most unforgiving moments in the sport; even the world’s greatest players have missed them on the biggest stages.

Criticizing players who had the courage to step forward only discourages confidence and growth. Chukwueze and Onyemaechi didn’t hide — they stood up when it mattered. That alone deserves respect.

If Nigerian football is to progress, fans must learn to support players through tough moments, not tear them down. The Super Eagles win together, and they lose together. As Iwobi rightly put it, courage should be applauded — not punished.