Chukwueze criticizes post-match interviews despite 3rd place finish

Super Eagles attacker Samuel Chukwueze has complained about what he described as exhausting post-match media routines after the team’s third-place playoff, saying interviews dragged on long after the game had ended

The winger said media engagements continued even as players were already leaving the pitch and preparing to depart, leaving little room for rest after the match.

“We’ll just talk and talk, everybody will be repeating the same thing. We have finished and someone is already inside the car, and they are still doing interviews again. Na third place we carry o, make we dey go home abeg. Next time we go enter bus they go house or we order Uber instead,” he said.

His reaction comes amid mixed reviews of his individual displays and the Super Eagles’ overall showing at the tournament, with critics questioning the team’s performances in key moments.

Despite the criticism, Chukwueze remains one of Nigeria’s most important attacking players and made meaningful contributions during the competition.

The comments have since gained traction on social media, where many fans shared similar frustrations about the intensity of media demands placed on players immediately after matches.

Several supporters defended the 24-year-old, noting that players often endure physical fatigue and emotional pressure and should be allowed to rest once games are concluded.

Others argued that Chukwueze’s remarks point to a broader issue within Nigerian sports journalism, suggesting that athletes are sometimes pushed beyond reasonable limits in the name of media coverage.