It was supposed to be a night of redemption for Samuel Chukwueze and the Super Eagles. Instead, the 2-1 home defeat to Rwanda in Uyo left a sour taste in the mouths of millions of Nigerians.
Amidst a slew of disappointing performances, one moment stood out — Chukwueze’s refusal to celebrate his sensational solo goal, a strike that should have been lauded as one of the best in his international career.
The AC Milan winger’s muted reaction: was it a coded message to coach Augustine Eguavoen or a blatant show of disrespect to Nigerian fans?
A Goal of Rare Brilliance
Chukwueze’s goal was a thing of beauty. Picking the ball just past the halfway line, the winger danced through three Rwandan defenders with Messi-esque finesse before unleashing a precise finish into the net.
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It was his first goal for the Super Eagles in over 13 months and his sixth overall. For a player who has faced criticism for inconsistency, this was the perfect opportunity to reconnect with fans and teammates.
Yet, his decision to snub the celebration overshadowed the brilliance of his effort.
A Message to Eguavoen?
Speculation quickly mounted that Chukwueze’s actions were directed at coach Augustine Eguavoen, who had largely overlooked him during the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.
The winger started only two of Nigeria’s five games under Eguavoen, including being an unused substitute in last Thursday’s 1-1 draw against Benin.
If frustration was the message, Chukwueze delivered it loud and clear.
However, a closer examination raises questions about the timing and appropriateness of his gesture.
By refusing to celebrate, Chukwueze inadvertently created a rift between himself, his teammates, and the fans.
In football, moments of jubilation are unifying; his decision to isolate himself had the opposite effect.
Disrespect to Fans?
Beyond the message to Eguavoen, Chukwueze’s muted celebration can also be interpreted as a disregard for the fans who have supported him despite his patchy form.
Before Monday’s goal, Chukwueze had only contributed to four goals in his last 25 appearances for Nigeria.
Yet, he has consistently been called up, often ahead of in-form players like Nathan Tella, Chuba Akpom, and Ibrahim Olawoyin.
Fans have endured his struggles without protest, and his goal was an opportunity to repay their faith. Instead, his snub felt like a slap in the face.
The Ripple Effect on the Game
Chukwueze’s decision not to celebrate had wider implications.
It visibly disrupted the team’s cohesion and drained energy from the Godswill Akpabio Stadium.
The Super Eagles, rather than building on their lead, seemed to lose focus. Rwanda capitalised on the dip in intensity, scoring twice to record a historic victory — their first-ever win against Nigeria.
The Bigger Picture: Lessons for Chukwueze
Chukwueze’s actions are a cautionary tale. While his frustrations with Eguavoen may be valid, the national team is bigger than personal grievances.
A day will come when a more performance-driven manager takes charge of the Super Eagles, and players like Chukwueze will need to earn their spots.
On that day, professionalism, humility, and a sense of duty will matter more than ever.
Chukwueze would be wise to use this moment as a turning point.
The fans, who have stood by him through tough times, deserve more respect. The teammates who celebrated his goal in unity deserve better.
And the Super Eagles, a team with a proud history, deserve players who put the collective above the individual.
A muted celebration may seem minor, but in the context of Nigeria’s footballing culture, it speaks volumes.
The AC Milan star must remember that every goal scored in the green and white is a privilege, not a platform for personal battles.
