Samuel Chukwueze, by Simbo Olorunfemi

I must confess that I am one of those who had looked forward to seeing Samuel Chukwueze play and shine at the ongoing African Cup of Nations.

His decision to join Fulham on a season-long loan from AC Milan appeared to have been the tonic he needed to rediscover his form.

Indeed, the last few weeks before the tournament suggested that he might just have reignited his magic, and it was pure joy to see him at play in the colours of Fulham, especially with Calvin Bassey standing strong at the back and Alex Iwobi controlling things from the middle.

It was a delight to see him in action against an in-form Sunderland. It wasn’t just about running rings round opponents, he was sharp. He provided a game-winning assist in that match.

Even though he came in as a substitute, such was the quality of his performance that he received a club award,the “Royal Caribbean Legend of the Match”.

Chukwueze would switch on his magic again in the Fulham 2-1 win over Tottenham Hotspur, winning the official Premier League Player of the Match award, in his very first start for the club.

He followed that up in the next league match against Manchester City, scoring
2 goals in his team’s December 2nd 5-4 defeat at Craven Cottage, even though he came on as a second-half substitute. He almost succeeded in helping Fulham stage a successful comeback in that match, which earned him a consecutive Player of the match award.

So, that was the Chukwueze who joined his team in Morocco to represent Nigeria in AFCON.

I don’t know what must have been on his mind, but I felt that he had done enough to break into the team.

But as we know, it is not just about form of a player, but the quality of other players available, balance of the team, style of play, formation, tactical approach to a match, and other factors.

So when Eric Chelle lined up his team for the first match, I wondered, but trusted his judgement and respected his decision. Even though Chukwueze later came in as a substitute in the first match, just as he did in the next 2 matches, even securing 2 assists against Uganda, I am not sure that there was enough in the appearances to force the hands of Chelle and cause him to make a reshuffle.

Chukwueze would not make the team, not even as a substitute in the next two matches. His body language during the course of one or both matches, after the matches and in an interview in one of the pre-match conferences didn’t suggest to me that he was happy.

One wouldn’t know though how the situation was managed behind the scenes. Not sure it was well or successfully managed.

He could have been brought on in the matches against Mozambique and Algeria, after the matches has been put to bed. We won’t know why the Manager chose not to do so. And we must respect Chelle’s decision.

In the match against Morocco, it was obvious that but for a few, most of the players were not at the same level as in the previous match. Of course, the quality of opposition was different. It is also difficult to maintain such a high level match after match.

But my rudimentary knowledge of the game called for a bit of tweaking, and a Chukwueze coming in at the 60th minute, or early enough in extra time, was a move I would have made, and looked forward to seeing. I had thought that Chukwueze was the more likely choice to take rather than a Bashiru to replace Akor.

But you never really know. He is the Coach and I am not.

The Chukwueze I saw being introduced into the match 2 minutes to the end of the match did not appear to me to have been the happy Samuel, with his head in the right place.

To have then be entrusted with the huge task of taking a penalty appeared off, for me. Nothing in his body language suggested, to me, that he was present there.

Even then, I do not blame him and I do not think it fair and right for him to be subjected to abuse or bullying as some have engaged in.

Some have suggested that he might have deliberately missed the kick. I doubt that could have been the case.

No doubt, he was rather lazy or lethargic about the kick, but I think that was more about his state of mind rather than a deliberate action on his part.

He could have declined to take the kick. Afterall, the big names ‘chose’ to take a backseat. The Manager could have seen through his body language for what it suggested to some of us. Perhaps, they know him better than we do. Obviously so, as a matter of fact.

That he stepped out to take the kick, is to me, something to celebrate him for, rather than villify him, irrespective of outcome.

We win as one. We lose as one.

The team should rally around Samuel Chukwueze and reassure him that the loss is one for the team rather than an individual. They should help him shake this off.

Hopefully, he is able to pick up from where he left it at Fulham, and goes on to make the best of the opportunity

The performance of the Super Eagles in the African Cup of Nations was the best we have seen of the team in a long time.

Every member of the team should take pride in it, including Samuel Chukwueze.

A lot to look forward to in this team.

We lose as one. We win as one.