Following Nigeria’s 4-2 penalty shootout defeat to the Atlas Lions of Morocco in the semi-final of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, Completesports.com’s ADEBOYE AMOSU appraises the performance of the players…
Stanley Nwabali 7/10
Produced his best performance of the tournament. The Chippa United goalkeeper unfortunately couldn’t help his team secure a place in the final.
Bright Osayi-Samuel 7/10
Impressed once again for the Super Eagles. He is really ready to make the right-back position his own.
Semi Ajayi 7/10
The centre-back proved to be a good partner for Calvin Bassey once again.
Calvin Bassey 8/10
The Fulham man was a rock at the back for the Super Eagles. He was Nigeria’s best performer on the night.
Bruno Onyemaechi 7/70
Onyemaechi missed in the shootout. The left-back was however impressive on the night.
Raphael Onyedika 5/10
He struggled to impose himself in the game. The Club Brugge midfielder was replaced by Moses Simon seven minutes from time.
Frank Onyeka 6/10
He worked hard in the middle of the park. He felt the absence of Wilfred Ndidi.
Alex Iwobi 6/10
The versatile midfielder drifted in and out of the game. Iwobi was not as effective as he was in Nigeria’s previous games in the competition.
Read Also:AFCON 2025: Gallant Eagles Fall To Morocco On Penalty Shootout
Ademola Lookman 6/10
The Atalanta winger had Nigeria’s first shot on target early in the game. He fizzled out afterwards.
Akor Adams 6/10
Toiled to hard to make a positive impact in the game without much success. The Sevilla star was replaced by Fisayo Dele-Bashiru in the 98th minute.
Victor Osimhen 5/10
Osimhen failed to make much impact in the game. Paul Onuachu took his place two minutes from time.
Substitutes
Moses Simon 4/10
Contributed positively after replacing Adams Akor.
Fisayo Dele-Bashiru 4/10
The Lazio midfielder scored in the shootout. He gave his best after replacing Akor Adams.
Paul Onuachu N/A
A late replacement for Victor Osimhen. Onuachu converted Nigeria’s first penalty.
Samuel Chukwueze N/A
Took the place of Frank Onyeka in tadded time. He missed from the spot.
1 Comment
Sad we failed to make it to the final.
What’s more, last night we showed that playing against a host team that’s tactically sound with the backing of the home fans in arena and biased officiating proved an uphill task.
Clearly the Atlas Lions were the better side throughout the encounter but let’s officiating be fair enough for the contest that has dignitaries in attendance, it was such a same that the Moroccans commited 22 fouls and got away with no booking but the Eagles got booked after Calvin Bassey recovered to pulled back the Moroccan who had earlier tugged at his shirt.
After the incident, the Nigerian side was largely cautious in their duel against the Moroccans. That being said the Moroccans took the game to us while the Eagles remained on the back foot, defending all night.
The host stifled the midfield and blocking all supplies from Iwobi, winning every challenge. They showed aggression and grit in a view to get a goal.
Kudos to Bassey, that was the Eagle who stood out throughout the night, for Nigeria despite his earlier booking. He was relentless and showed qualities matching the physicality and aggression of the Atlas Lions. He remained fierce in tackles and solid defending.
Ndidi was clearly missed, he’s been a thankless job in this tournament, providing a layer of defence for the centre halves but last night his absence was badly felt as well as his leadership.
Chukwueze Samuel’s attitude before his spot kick was quite disappointing. It wasn’t the kick as the attitude, quite unprofessional.