- A sports expert has defended Chukwueze’s act of chewing gum while playing a penalty in the AFCON semi-final match
- Many had dragged the footballer for his action, especially after he missed the penalty and the Super Eagles lost the match
- In his post, the sports expert explained what chewing gum meant for footballers, following a massive criticism against Chukwueze
A sports expert has weighed in on Samuel Chukwueze’s action of chewing gum while playing a penalty in the African Cup of Nations (AFCON) semi-final match between Nigeria and Morocco.
Morocco defeated Nigeria 4–2 on penalties to qualify for the AFCON 2025 final, with Samuel Chukwueze and Bruno Onyemaechi missing their spot kicks following a goalless draw in extra time.
Source: UGC
Netizens have taken to social media to criticise Chukwueze for chewing gum while playing a penalty, and some accused him of nonchalance.
In an X post by @sportsdokitor, the sports expert explained what chewing gum meant in football.
He said:
“CHEWING GUM” (A Coping Tool In Football) In football, pressure is unavoidable, penalties, touchline decisions, title-defining moments. While some players pace or breathe deeply, others rely on a simple habit: Chewing Gum.
“Sports psychology links chewing gum to lower stress levels, as it helps reduce stress hormones in the body, leading to calmer thinking and better decision-making, especially before high-pressure moments. It also helps regulate breathing, which is crucial when nerves kick in, preventing rushed actions or panic.
“Chewing gum can also improve focus. The repetitive motion puts the brain into a steady rhythm, helping players and coaches stay mentally “locked in” amid chaos.
“This is why figures like Sir Alex Ferguson, Carlo Ancelotti, Antonio Conte, Zinedine Zidane and yesterday, Samuel Chukwueze have often been seen chewing gum during matches. For them and many players, it’s not about attitude or nonchalance, but about control, composure, and clarity when it matters most. In football, calm looks different on everyone. Sometimes, it’s as simple as chewing gum.”
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AFCON semi-final: Man shares observation about Chukwueze’s action after missing penalty, posts clip
See his X post below:
AFCON: Reactions as expert defends Chukwueze’s chewing gum
@IntegrityAndEx1 said:
“I like as you’re breaking these things down to them, hoping they’ll understand. People who don’t know how to trap ball find it hard to criticize the professionals.”
@osondueverest said:
“All this explanation, he would decline about taking the PK, this long epistle doesn’t take out the fact that he didn’t hit the ball with any form of conviction.”
@promisekene said:
“Facing a Goalkeeper like Yaccine Bono who has reputation for stopping penalties and also stadium of about 65000 people who are against is a high pressure moment. Make Nigerians tone down on this criticism of Samuel Chukwueze. We are all humans.”
Source: Getty Images
In a related story, a Nigerian lady watching the AFCON semi-final match in Morocco burst into prayer as the clash got intense.
AFCON: Lady shares her mixed reactions during penalty
We previously reported that a Nigerian lady in Morocco showed what she did inside the stadium during the penalties in the AFCON semi-final match.
In a now-viral clip, the lady posted a video of herself showing what she did when some Super Eagles players missed the penalties, and it got people talking.