Completesports.com’s ADEBOYE AMOSU rates the performance of Flying Eagles players in their 2023 Africa U-20 Cup of Nations Group A fixture against the Young Pharaohs of Egypt at the Cairo International Stadium on Wednesday night…
CHIJOKE ANIGBOSO 8/10
The goalkeeper produced two brilliant saves in the second half to deny the hosts. A confident display from the towering goalie.
AUGUSTINE NJOKU 7/10
An improved performance from the right-back. Did well to help ward off the threat of the Egyptians.
DANIEL BAMAIYI 7/10
The skipper led by example. An exemplary performance from the centre-back.
BENJAMIN FREDERICK 7/10
Played a key role in the team’s victory. He made a number vital blocks in the game.
SOLOMON AGBALAKA 8/10
Agbalaka scored the decisive goal from a towering header in the second half. A man of the match display from the left-back.
ONUCHE OGBELU 6/10
Gave his best but not really a dominant display from the midfielder.
MUHAMMADU AMINU 7/10
Improved like some of his teammates after the break. Delivered the inch perfect cross from a corner-kick that led to the goal.
SAMSON LAWAL 5/10
Didn’t really do much in the game. He was replaced by Adams Olamilekan in the second half.
FRANCIS AYUBA 6/10
Battled hard to impress after a slow start. Put up a better performance after the break.
HALIRU SARKI 5/10
The winger was largely ineffective in the game. He was substituted early in the second half.
IBRAHIM MOHAMMED 6/10
Struggled to get going early in the game. Came close to scoring in the second half.
SUBSTITUTES
ADAMS OLAMILEKAN 5/10
Did well following his introduction early in the second half. The Remo Stars player picked up a yellow card late in the game.
JUDE SUNDAY 7/10
Took the place of the ineffective Haliru Sarki. He put a lively display and troubled the Egyptian defence with his trickery and pace.
ABEL OGWUCHE
He replaced Ayuba Francis late on.
NICHOLAS JONATHAN
A late replacement for Mohammed Aminu.
6 Comments
Goalkeeper Chijioke Aniagboso was clearly the man-of-the match. Without his breathtaking saves, Solomon Agbalaka’s goal, though well-taken would have counted for nothing.
Digressing a bit, Coach Peseiro whether for motivational reasons or something different was wrong in inviting those four players from this team to train with the national team. I thought so at the time, too. Conventional wisdom would say, wait until you watch the team at the tournament proper before deciding on the few that merit invitation.
So far, only Solomon Agbalaka and Benjamin Fredrick would deserve consideration in my opinion.
Gbam! Even Dominion Ohaka is far better than most other Flying Eagles players. Lolzzzz Za Za Za Zip!
@TONY well said but I will add the goalkeeper and Daga to that list.
Though we don’t need additions in the left back because already we have Bruno Onyemechi and Zaidu Sanusi both from the Portuguese league.The likes of Aina and Bassey can also play left back so we have four capable senior players who can play left back making Agbalaka’s case hard.
Benjamin Frederick has distinguished himself so far,but the central defence is filled up as well and news going round in the media the gaffer talked to a bundesliga central defender to join us for our next international games giving us more options in the central defence,however should Frederick continue improving in this tournament he could have a chance but has to contend with hardtackling skipper Bameyi for that spot.
The gaffer may be right on Ogbelu and Daga both have come good,however it has been a very difficult tournament for the Bosso lads.Senegal has 5 professionals in their starting lineup,one Moroccan based the others from Europe.They have proved a hard nut to crack.Senegal are organised and very well experienced with players from their Chan winning team and over 5 professionals to add to that list,they’re full of experience and will be hard to stop in this tournament,our game against them and host Egypt could be the toughest we may experience in the tournament,both sides have good players and Egypt playing at home with most of its players from the countries leading and dreaded teams they will always be a tough customer for any team at this level.
We should laud our lads for their performances so far at least they are improving and I’m sure they will play better in their next encounter and keep improving hopefully we meet Senegal in the later stages,and what a cracking game that will turnout to be.
Meanwhile,I’m more impressed with the goalkeeper.Anigboso is a very good goalkeeper he look commanding and assured between the sticks.
His composure,flair,distributions,calmness and saves was the talking point today he reminds me of Ike Shorunmu in his playing days.Anigboso is a good goalkeeper his confidence and leadership will propel the team to glory in this tournament.Quality goalkeeping is very important on how a team progresses in a tournament and in Anigboso we have a very good goalkeeper that inspires confidence for both his teammates and fans respectively.
In my opinion should Peseiro go ahead with the idea of 4 additions to the super eagles,one name I will recommend is Anigboso,we need a young and quality gloves man in the super eagles.Anigboso ticks all the right boxes I will score him 10/10.
@Greenturf Spot on Daga is a talent and the team was built around him if you noticed after the injury the U20 crumbled. Meaning the coach had to replacement for Daga. I will pick Daga and the GK if I’m to pick.
This is one of the worse flying eagles teams i have seen. They were lucky to beat Egypt today, even if they qualify for the quarter final they would be knocked out. I cannot remember a Nigerian junior team without a dazzling striker who takes on defenders and leaves them behind. This team is so bland, that there is nothing to like in it. I think the spirit of Stephen Keshi and the humiliation of sia sia is hunting the NFF, Thanks to PINNICK.
I would agree with the last comment. Most of the players in this team are not good enough. They can’t play period. The Egyptians were very unlucky and complacent too. They played beautiful football, carved out chances after chances. Unfortunate that they lost because they are better.