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His performance for Nigeria has been underwhelming, with only four goals in 28 appearances since his debut in 2019.
The decision to bench Samuel Chukwueze in Nigeria's match against Cameroon in the 2023 African Cup of Nations (AFCON) can be attributed to a combination of factors, primarily his recent form and the strategic choices made by the Nigerian team's coach, Jose Peseiro.
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15:09 - 28.01.2024
AFCON 2023: 'I cannot lie, we haven’t played the best of our football yet' - Osimhen insists Super Eagles still have more in stock
Victor Osimhen has expressed his happiness with the win over Cameroon and insists the team has not played their best football.
Chukwueze's Struggles
Chukwueze, who plays for AC Milan, has been struggling to replicate his club form at the international level. His performance for Nigeria has been underwhelming, with only four goals in 28 appearances since his debut in 2019.
A slow start at AC Milan and a hamstring injury sustained while playing for Nigeria have further hampered his progress. This dip in form likely influenced the decision to bench him in a crucial match like the one against Cameroon.
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15:04 - 28.01.2024
AFCON 2023: Watch Super Eagles players' celebration party in the dressing room
Moment of joy filled the Super Eagles dressing room after securing a comfortable win against rivals Cameroon.
Peseiro's Game Plan
Moreover, Peseiro's tactical setup for the game possibly played a role in Chukwueze's exclusion from the starting lineup. The coach opted for a formation that did not align with Chukwueze's current form and style of play.
The starting XI included players like Victor Osimhen leading the attack, with support from wingers like Moses Simon and Ademola Lookman, and a midfield pairing of Alex Iwobi and Frank Onyeka. This lineup suggests a strategic choice focused on utilizing players who were in better form and perhaps better suited to the specific challenges posed by the Cameroonian team.
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14:38 - 28.01.2024
AFCON 2023: Lagos state governor Jide Sanwolu celebrates Super Eagles' win against Cameroon
Super Eagles defeated Cameroon in their round of 16 tie to book a place with Angola in the quarter-finals.
Chukwueze's benching appears to be a combination of his recent struggles to find top form and the tactical decisions made by the Nigerian coach to field a team best suited to face Cameroon in a high-stakes match.
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