Tremendous Eagles and Brentford midfielder Frank Onyeka has opened up on why he hardly ever steps up for penalties, shedding gentle on how spot-kick takers are chosen throughout the Nigerian nationwide crew.
The 28-year-old midfielder spoke candidly about Nigeria’s struggles from the penalty spot in latest months, revealing that the duty is usually left to gamers who really feel mentally prepared in the mean time fairly than being strictly assigned.
Nigeria have endured blended fortunes in shootouts below head coach Eric Chelle. Penalty misses proved pricey towards DR Congo within the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers and once more versus Morocco, denying the Tremendous Eagles a spot within the AFCON remaining.
Nonetheless, there was redemption within the third-place playoff towards Egypt, the place goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali emerged because the hero.
Reflecting on the painful loss to Morocco, Onyeka admitted it was a troublesome expertise for the crew.
“Tactically, Morocco have been superb. They knew what we wished to do and closed us down effectively. The referee additionally disrupted our momentum at key moments, which labored of their favour,” Onyeka mentioned in an interview with Oma Akatugba.
“They deserved credit score as a result of they executed their plan completely.”
With regards to penalties, Onyeka revealed why he typically stays away from the duty.
“I’ve by no means taken a penalty in my life. They don’t actually choose me, and I additionally strive to not contain myself,” he admitted.
“But it surely’s one thing I do know I have to work on. I have to belief myself when the chance comes.”
The previous FC Midtjylland midfielder defined that Chelle’s method is basically player-driven.
“Typically the coach asks who needs to take the penalty, and different occasions he decides. Should you’re not feeling assured, you possibly can choose out. Most occasions, the gamers select themselves due to the strain concerned.”
Onyeka, who has scored three objectives in 41 appearances for the Tremendous Eagles, is now targeted on cementing his place each with Nigeria and at Brentford, the place he hopes to safe a daily beginning position after the AFCON 2025 event.
The midfielder’s sincere admission highlights the psychological calls for of penalty-taking and provides perception into the Tremendous Eagles’ decision-making course of throughout high-pressure moments.
