Super Eagles head coach, Eric Chelle has stated why he substituted striker Victor Osimhen during Nigeria’s World Cup qualifying playoff final defeat to DR Congo on Sunday.
Chelle opted to replace Osimhen with Akor Adams at half-time as DR Congo defeated Nigeria on penalty shoot-out.
The match ended in a 1-1 draw after 120 minutes in Rabat, Morocco.
Frank Onyeka and Mechak Elia scored the goals for both teams during the encounter.
However, when asked by a reporter about Osimhen, Chelle simply said as he made his way out of the Stadium, “He has an injury.”
Meanwhile, DR Congo defender Noah Sadiki has insisted that Osimhen’s injury helped his team during the encounter.
DR Congo will now represent Africa in the intercontinental playoffs taking place in March 2026.