Following the Super Eagles impressive 3-1 victory over the Cranes of Uganda, Completesports.com‘s ADEBOYE AMOSU appraises the performance of the players…
Francis Uzoho 7/10
The goalkeeper was virtually on holiday for the majority of the game. His composure and ball distribution was excellent.
Ryan Alebiosu 7/10
Impressed on his maiden appearance for the Super Eagles. The right-back certainly has a big future ahead of him.
Calvin Bassey 6/10
The Fulham man was booked after just three minutes. Bassey was replaced after the break by Chidozie Awaziem.
Bruno Onyemaechi 7/10
Put up another impressive display at left-back. The Olympiacos defender was replaced by Zaidu Sanusi 13 minutes from time.
Raphael Onyedika 9/10
A superb performance on his maiden appearance of the competition. The 24-year-old netted twice, and went home with the Man of the Match award.
Fisayo Dele-Bashiru 7/10
The Lazio midfielder set up Paul Onuachu for Nigeria’s opening goal in the 28th minute.
Samuel Chukwueze 8/10
Provided two assists in the game. He tormented the Ugandan defence with his trickery and pace.
Read Also:AFCON 2025: Onyedika Named MOTM In Super Eagles’ Win Over Uganda
Moses Simon 7/10
The Paris FC winger was a thorn in the flesh of the Ugandan defence. Simon was more influential in the first half.
Paul Onuachu 7/10
The striker opened scoring for Nigeria in the first half. He was replaced by Tochukwu Nnadi 13 minutes from time.
Victor Osimhen 7/10
Captain on the night, Osimhen showed his leadership qualities in the game. Akor Adams took his place in the 87th minute.
Substitutes
Chidozie Awaziem 6/10
Helped ward off the threat of Uche Ikpeazu after replacing Calvin Bassey in the second half. He was booked late in the game.
Zaidu Sanusi 3/10
He didn’t do much after replacing the effective Bruno Onyemaechi in the 77th minute.
Tochukwu Nnadi 4/10
Showed glimpses of his best. He will surely get more opportunities with the team in future.
Akor Adams N/A
Took the place of Victor Osimhen with three minutes remaining on the clock.
Salim Fago Lawal N/A
A late replacement for Samuel Chukwueze
4 Comments
It was wicked witnessing a second string Super Eagles sizzle in style.
However, as they headed for glory, familiar foibles raised its ugly head. It wasn’t the goal the Super Eagles conceded, it was the goal of not conceding needless goals that wasn’t met, again.
Where was our centre defence infrastructure as the Ugandan striker strolled in to strike? Hanging out with the woman selling palm oil inside National Stadium in Surulere, I’d wager. And there I was always blaming Ajayi for our defensive woes, woes no one can defend.
Seriously, these sort of lapses have to stop if the team wants us to take them seriously. Hardly a victory is achieved without a sizeable inedible amount of sand sand in their Garri.
Onyedika showed firmly under Finidi that he is a fine finisher and he proved it again here, twice, with 2 wicked efforts inside the 18 yard box.
Alebiosu tried to dribble but was often unsuccessful. When he was successful, his delivery were dripping with delicious end products.
Simon is Simon and won’t be Simon without summoning salacious, scattergun step-overs which were hits and missess as some were delivered with a sharpened machete and others with a dull hoe.
Uzoho is back and I love it! I will leave that at that.
Needless to say I should say the needless as I need to end it here but I will say it anyway. I am f**kin happy! Super Eagles should be Super and, despite the needling needless holes at the back, we have made a stunning statement with 3 blemished wins, blemished by avoidable blemishes which haven’t blemished my overall joy, happiness and contentment.
That’s all folks! 🙂
And there was Onuachu, on one chew, chewed the back of the net with a ferociously fine finish after the Ugandan goalkeeper had gone fishing.
@Deo, brilliant submission on the performance of our second string Super Eagles team, coasting home with enviable 9 points, scoring a total of 8 goals in the group stage. A feat reminiscent of the Austin Equavoen led squad of 2021 AFCON in Cameroon, only to be bundled out of the tournament in the round of 16 by the lesson fancied by tactical Carthage Eagles of Tunisia.
What a disappointing way to bow out of the tournament after the impressive showings in the group stage, leaving hopes dashed.
Thinking reflectively, Eric Chelle and his technical team of the Super Eagles would not be carried away by the team’s records in the group stage rather continue to work strategically to firm up their tactics and improve their areas of concerns, particularly in the defence.
The Ugandan game, no doubt, has thrown up a lot of options for the coach. Onyedika’s brilliance yesterday has further validated the argument for his integration into the team, especially with ageing Ndidi Onyinye in the DM role. The FC Brugge defensive midfield lynpin stood tall in DM last night as he carried out his duties without breaking a sweat. Combining many attributes of legendary Sunday Oliseh, passing range, hard tackles and shooting range, he showed his goalscoring qualities with his well taken brace against the Cranes.
Another player who gave the coaching crew so much to think about last night was Dele Bashiru. I love his industry. That guy is a hard worker, bounding across the pitch with his energy – was full of running. Like he did against South Africa, he gave a brilliant assist for Paul Onuachu’s opening goal. He uses his energy and power to greet effect.
Going to the knockout stages, he’d be a massive option for Chelle in his diamond formation, especially with his offensive midfield quality.
Chukwueze”s masterclass performance yesterday was not only commendable but brilliant. He’ll definitely achieve far more, if he can shun out those performances on a consistent basis.
Nice to have Francis Uzoho back, gutted he conceded a goal, which was not largely his fault.
Glad to see Awaziem Chidozie made his return to the team defence, this time, playing a crucial role after some cameo games for the national team in recent times. Though not all the players would have had a chance to play, yet would have loved to see the Pisa’s box-to-box midfielder, Ebenezer Akinisanmiro.
So many highpoints in the game yesterday, and I hope to see many more interesting highlights in the ongoing AFCON for the Super Eagles,
Thanks Fide_enny