Nigeria booked their passage to the Round of 16 of the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations with a hard fought 1-0 win over Guinea thanks to a solitary goal scored by Kenneth Omeruo.
Newslegend.com.ng‘s IZUCHUKWU OKOSI here rates the performances of the Super Eagles players.
The Starters
Goalkeeper
Daniel Akpeyi :The Kaizer Chiefs goalkeeper was not overly tested by the Guineans . Looked more composed that he was in the first game against Burundi. 6.5/10.
Defenders
Chidozie Awaziem : The Porto defender was
deployed in the right back position and he did creditably well in doing his
primary duties but he offered few support going forward. 7/10.
Ola Aina : The Torino wingback had a more
subdued performance against Guinea but he still had a decent day. 7/10.
Kenneth Omeruo : Leganes defender Omeruo salvaged a win for Nigeria with a glancing header in the second half. He made vital clearances also. 9/10.
Leon Balogun : Brighton’s Balogun was played at the expense of William Troost-Eking and he did commendably well. Good interceptions and aerial advantage were his strengths. 7/10.
Midfielders
Wilfred Ndidi : Ndidi shielded the defence well and never gave Naby Keita breathing space. Good performance. 7/10.
Peter Etebo : Booked in the second half for a foul but he had a good day pairing Ndidi in the defensive midfield. 8/10.
Alex Iwobi : The Arsenal forward had an average game. He was disappointing at some times with misplaced passes but he also had some goalscoring chances – once testing Ibrahima Kone with a rasping shot. The Eagles midfield broke down after his substitution. 7/10.
Attackers
Ahmed Musa : A subdued performance but had a mazy run and an attempt in the second half to put Nigeria ahead which was wasted. 6/10.
Moses Simon : Omeruo headed home his corner in the second half, otherwise the speedy forward failed to live up to expectations. Lost the ball a couple of times. 6/10.
Odion Ighalo : Not his usual self. He had a chance to square the ball to Musa in the first half but opted to shoot from a tight position. 6/10
The
Substitutes
Samuel Chukwueze : Brought in place of Iwobi but had no time to impact the
game. 4/10.
Samuel Kalu : Same as Chukwueze. NA
Paul Onuachu. Came on for Ighalo in the dying moments of the game. NA.
Izuchukwu Okosi
