Following the Super Eagles 4-1 thrashing of Gabon in the semi-final of the 2026 FIFA World Cup playoffs at the Prince Héritier Moulay El Hassan Sports Complex, Rabat on Thursday night, Completesports.com’s ADEBOYE AMOSU appraises the performance of the players…
Stanley Nwabali 6/10
The Chippa United goalkeeper conceded once in the game. He was lucky not to gift the Gabonese a goal in extra time.
Bright Osayi-Samuel 7/10
A good display from the the right-back. He did well against Gabon’s danger man, Dennis Bounaga.
Benjamin Fredrick 7/10
Another superb display from the young centre-back. Kept the experienced Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang quiet in the game.
Calvin Bassey 7/10
The Fulham star was one of Nigeria’s top performers in the game. Already forming a formidable partnership with Benjamin Fredrick.
Zaidu Sanusi 6/10
Started the game brightly but fizzled out afterwards. He however performed his defensive task well.
Wilfred Ndidi 7/10
The experienced midfielder was booked early in the game. He provided the assist for Chidera Ejuke’s second goal.
Alex Iwobi 7/10
Not a bad display from the versatile midfielder. He was replaced by Chidozie Awaziem in extra time.
Samuel Chukwueze 6/10
An underwhelming display from the winger. The Fulham man was replaced by Chidera Ejuke on the hour mark.
Ademola Lookman 6/10
The winger was not at his best in the game. He was duly substituted on the hour mark.
Jerome Akor 7/10
Scored Nigeria’s first goal of the game. It was his second goal for the Super Eagles.
Victor Osimhen 8/10
The Galatasaray striker missed a couple of chances in the game. He however scored twice in extra time.
Substitutes
Chidera Ejuke 7/10
The Sevilla winger scored Nigeria’s second goal. He made a huge impact after replacing Samuel Chukwueze.
Moses Simon 5/10
Made little impact after his introduction early in the second half.
Frank Onyeka 6/10
Gave a good account of himself following his introduction. The midfielder was booked towards the end of the game.
William Troost-Ekong 3/10
The captain was introduced in extra time. He helped organise the defence in the closing stages of the game.
Chidozie Awaziem 2/10
Another late substitute. Had little effect on the game following his introduction.
Tolu Arokodare
Not Rated
8 Comments
You can’t give Iwobi 7. What he has never done the little defender from Denderleuw did by providing an assist for Osimhen first goal. What a shame to a midfielder like that.
Ndidi also created an assist for Ejuke… Where was Iwobi. I don’t hate him but his output for the team is rather too poor.
Awaziem too provided assist.
That Nwabali is the worst goalkeeper in Nigerian history. I blame all the coaches who made him to be this uncouth in Super Eagles colours.
It’s obvious that CSN gives preferential treatment to one of the most overhyped playmaker in the history of the Super Eagles.
Till date, Iwobi has failed to assist or scored in the qualifier. He misplaced more than 40% of his passes, missing in tackles or pressing ..
Onyeka, Onyedika, Fisayo, Ndidi have all scored or assisted in the qualifier. Iwobi with the most minutes is yet to show a single contribution.
Just replace him with Onyedika or Ejuke for now.
Its a 2 for both Iwobi and Osaye
Mr rater if you are so generous to give osayi and iwobi 7/10 then u shd give federick, bassey, sanusi and ndidi nothing less than 8/10.
Lol. This editor is still tipsy from the celebration.
Chukwueze who had “an underwhelming display” and Lookman who “was not at his best” got 6/10. Maka how na lol.
Ekong and Awaziem (in spite of his assist for the 4th goal) should not have been rated just as Arokodare na instead of 3 and 2 out of 10 respectively.
I beg, admin, change those 4 ratings for posterity sake before who no watch the match go think say Ekong was calamity haha.
Awaziem provided the telegraphic lob to Osimhen, who finished off that with an exquisite solo golazo. Let’s keep that in mind
I heard somebody said Gabon came to Morocco 4:1 reason.
Iwobi is flash in pan player, today he show up and tomorrow he will disappear.
Iwobi shouldn’t be regarded as mid field player, he should be deploy to flank, or attacking mid-fielder.
He thrive only in those two area, iwobi is never a creative mid-fielder neither is he also a blocking 4. The only time he tried that resulted in red card for him at the afcon.
Hmmm, Nigeria beat Gabon right however we are only lucky! It could have gone either way.
Imagine leading your opponent to 76 minutes of play and can’t kill off the game.
I think it is high time the coach should teach the team how to defend their goals to the end instead of giving Super Eagles followers all over the world unnecessary heartache in their matches.