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Taiwo Awoniyi hopes to put up a better performance in Nigeria’s second Group D game against Sudan at the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations in Cameroon , reports Completesports.com.
Awoniyi was picked to lead the attack in Nigeria ‘s first game against Egypt ahead of Umar Sadiq and Peter Olayinka.
The forward was however criticised by many for his performance in the encounter which the Super Eagles won 1-0 courtesy of Kelechi Iheanacho’s fine effort on the half hour mark.
Read Also: ‘There Is No Small Team’ –Simon Warns Super Eagles Must Not Underrate Sudan
The Union Berlin of Germany striker is still expected to start against Sudan and he has promised to deliver the goods this time around.
“It’s just one game and things will get better. The most important thing is that we won and there will always be room for improvement, ” he said after the team’s training on Wednesday.
“Now, the Egypt game is behind us and what we are thinking about now is how to beat Sudan. They are good side too and we must be at their our best against them.
“Personally, I will strive to do better than I did against Egypt. ”
The game against Sudan is billed for the Roumde Adija Stadium, Garoua on Saturday.
By Adeboye Amosu in Garoua
18 Comments
Complete Sports, who criticized Awoniyi? Maybe those guys watched another match. He played with his whole heart and helped wear out the Egyptians with tireless running.
I wonder maybe they meant he was praised for working hard
Lol I wonder o these people go just dey write rubbish with confidence
Awoniyi hold up and pressing play was excellent in that match. He defended from the front. This was missing in Umar. I don’t agree that he didn’t do well but there is always room for improvement.
Thanks for the observation on Sadiq Umar. Umar never satisfied me with his performance on DAT day of the match. For a player that was brought into the field, I expected more from him but it was as if it was another Paul Onuachu on the field of play. On one occasion, Coach Eguaveon was asking him to close down the Egyptian defenders but he couldn’t do it.
If the performance he gave against the Pharaohs is the best he can give, I will suggest to the Coach to try Olayinka in place of Umar as substitute. Since our last match, have been praying for Awoniyi to avoid injury as the tournament continues. Another suggestion is for Chukwueze to be benched so as to see what other wingers can bring to the party.
Correct. 100%. Olayinka instead of Umar in the Sudan match. Ndidi and Aribo, assisted by Simon and Nwabueze were a formidable midfield. Nwabueze did a good supportive role; not sure Ejuke can be just as effective. He is probably a better winger; but both need to greatly improve their final ball. Awoniyi, in particular, as well as Ihenacho did well with pressing. Kept the Egypt defence busy. They should hopefully do better against Sudan who will probably be more physical but less tactical.
I expect another good performance and a victory.
I can see your dream. May it come through
Kudos Awoniyi…he kept Egyptian defense busy and exposed them to danger.
Awoniyi a very robust centerforward and humble character. I pray he scores a brace or hattrick against Sudan, he deserves it. Him and Iheanacho reignited their U-17 partnership and if they can replicate what they did against Egypt, Sudan is a toast.
If I had Iheanacho’s private line, I’ll plead that he keeps feeding Awoniyi until he scores lol. He’s the only one who can make accurate passes in the final-third. I hope Simon and Ejuke/Chukwueze will also spend more time in learning how to deliver perfect and dangerous crosses.
Awo was one of our heroes on the field that day. Umar do not belong. He will be dropped like a hot cake when Osimhen or Ighalo returns for the World Cup play-off in Match 2022.
Umar Sadiq is a deadly striker! We all know what he can do. We have to be patient with our players before condemning them. Thankfully, Eguavoen is going to hold a session with him. Perhaps he need to be encouraged being his first AFCON appearance. I strongly believe hence he get his first goal for the national team, he will continue to deliver even beyond expectation.
Complete Sports what kind of journalism are you practicing? If this is how to promote your good players as English and western promote their players ; then go and close shop.
How many people criticized Taiwo Awoniyi who was the turn in the flesh of Egyptians along with tormentor in Cheif Moseses , combining well with senior Man , keeping the Egypt busy with his pressing game , to such extent they couldn’t have choice other than defending all through 90 minutes.
May be the criticism is in your dream
Taiwo Awoniyi was one of the best in that game , with his sublime performance
Abeg make unu no vex. The people who criticized Awoniyi just started watching football yesterday. Please forgive them.
If they had a clue what football is, they would see what a fantastic job Awoniyi did. They would know that Awoniyi should be praised, not criticized!
I must confess, despite his prolific form for Union Berlin, I was never really an Awoniyi fan, though I do love his humility and work ethic. However, with his selfless, workaholic performance against Egypt, I am now a huge Awoniyi fan.
Even if he doesn’t score throughout this tournament, as long as he continues to perform like he did against Egypt, I very much appreciate his efforts.
I also wish people will be patient with Sadiq Umar. When Yekini started, he was called “gangling” and “clumsy”, and he used to miss tons of chances. Yet, he became one of the deadliest strikers the world has ever seen.
Let’s not be in a hurry to write off Umar and other players.
Awoniyi did great and can do much more. You know , just like yesterday, I recall how him and Kel partnered during the U 17 FIFA World cup and I won’t be surprised should the same happen in this competition . Awoniyi is a great striker and is doing the very best that he can . The German league has toughened him really . Esp knowing fully well how physical the league is .
It really took him so long for the NFF to call him and honestly it was what affected him for not being able to play for Liverpool and win cups esp the champions league with them .
Kel also needs to work with Awo as well so that the attacking flow can continue to yield results. With these 2, we now know who can make it to the FIFA World cup along with oshimen .
For Umar, I guess it depends on his style of play for he doesn’t do the things that Oshimen and Awo do as strikers .but that doesn’t mean he’s no good . The issue is that he’s not the striker that can cover for the defence like Awo and Oshimen and he’s not much of a physical type.
This shows that with this competition , one can assess the kind of players needed for the national team in other to execute the qualification to the world cup as well as going far in the competition proper.
I wish the team the best.
Whoever that wishes Ighalo back to this team is a bloody enemy of Nigeria progress. Tufiakwa!
CORRECTION:
Awoniyi needs to be forceful while
on one on one with the keeper, our coach should work on that, and to me that isn’t bad. See you tomorrow, good luck Super Eagles
I watched the game against Egypt and I have a few observations
1.our wingers(Chukwueze and Simon) needs to perfect their pull in from the wings..look at how Burkina Faso scored, through that beautifully delivered cross in from the wing.
2. Chukwueze must improve and be more assertive on the field of play, no doubt he has those bundles of skill, but he definitely needs to put in more.
3.We were wasteful in front of the goal, this needs to be addressed.
4. Good defensive display but we need to improve on it.
Those clamouring more time for sadiq should know that we have so many strikers begging to play top9 for Nigeria. He must start taking his chances like someone thirsty for water.. That was what awoniyi did against Egypt, after his first game awonmyi wasn’t invited which made him understand the battle he is up against.. After the afcon there is oshimmen, Denis, cypril, oghalo , onuchu,success , okereke etc all waiting for number 9 position . remember it is a world cup year