Completesports.com’s ADEBOYE AMOSU appraises the performance of Super Eagles’ players in their 1-0 win against the Swallows of Burundi – their first AFCON 2019 Group B match at the Alexandria Stadium on Saturday.
DANIEL AKPEYI 7/10
Made a number vital saves for the Super Eagles in the game, but looked shaky at times. The Chippa United goalkeeper will need to work on his confidence in the subsequent games.
SHEHU ABDULLAHI 6/10
Looked bright and made good runs upfront until he was forced off the pitch as a result of injury.
KENNETH OMERUO 7/10
Had a tough time dealing with Burundi top striker Fiston Abdoul-Razak, but did well in stopping the JS Kabyile of Algeria hitman from getting a goal in the game.
WILLIAM TROOST-EKONG 6/10
Caught out of position a number of times. He will look to be more assertive in the Super Eagles’ subsequent games.
OLA AINA 7/10
Took the place of the injured Jamilu Collins and was lively all through. Provided a superb assist for Odion Ighalo’s goal that won the match for the Super Eagles.
WILFRED NDIDI 7/10
An above average showing from the Leicester City man who was Nigeria’s best midfielder in the game.
JOHN MIKEL OBI 5/10
Didn’t contribute much in the game and was hurled off early in the second half for Ahmed Musa.
OGHENEKARO ETEBO 6/10
Not one of his best games for the Super Eagles. Helped the defence but was less influential upfront.
SAMUEL CHUKWUEZE 7/10
The Villarreal winger was a handful for the Burundi defenders and was unlucky not to get a goal in the game.
ALEX IWOBI 8/10
Unarguably Nigeria’s best performer on the night. He was behind most of the Super Eagles best attacking moves of the game.
PAUL ONUACHU 6/10
Toiled hard to impress in the game with little or nothing to show for his efforts.
SUBSTITUTES
CHIDOZIE AWAZIEM 7/10
Took the place of the injured Shehu Abdullahi three minutes before the break and made a number of vital blocks in the second half.
AHMED MUSA 7/10
His introduction in place of John Mikel Obi helped change the complexion of the game in favour of the Super Eagles.
ODION IGHALO 7/10
Proved his predatory prowess with a sublime goal after coming on as a substitute, replacing Paul Onuachu in the 73rd minute.
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COMMENTS
Akpeyi is shaky. … eagles go soar but Angola is the winner of Afcon 2019
Dreaming
It’s Mauritania all the way. Make I spell am for you – MAURITANIA! I don go bet my mortgage and life savings on Mauritania. They must not disappoint me ooooo!
Let’s see. Nigeria is the Angola you predicted. God bless Nigeria.
Una don do una rating. Dis one na my own di way i see am
Akpeyi 4.5/10 – He should be continuously flogged between now and the next match for trying to give us heart attack. Did well on the early save but never inspired confidence or organization thereafter
Abdullahi 6/10 – Did his job unceremoniously while on the pitch. Nothing spectacular but perhaps that was all that was required of him
Omeruo 6.5/10 – Was the more assured of the two in the central defence. Out of position on a couple of occasions but overall was solid. Should have done better with his header at the other end
Ekong 5/10 – Not an overall great game from this chap today. Looked nervous on the ball and gave it away cheaply especially early on. Did not anticipate the danger on the early shot on our goal. Settled into the game as it wore on
Aina 7/10 – Well done to this boy. Stuck in on some challenges in the midfield and while defending. Provided width on the left side with his overlaps. His crossing could improve but he did put in one or two decent balls. Burundi defenders are still looking for their jockstraps after that sublime pass to Ighalo for the assist
Etebo 5.5/10 – Did his job early on but faded as the game wore on. In the early stages his industry broke up burundi’s rhythm but later on he seemed tired and gaps started appearing in the midfield. Needs to provide more offensively against stronger opposition
Ndidi 6.5/10 – Na man. Was strong throughout the game. Could have used more help from his holding partner but he did give the ball away cheaply which led to a burundi attack on goal (where we have akpeyi!). Needs to be more precise with his ball distribution
Mikel 4/10 – Looked like a man that needs rest. Here’s a message to Nigerian coaches, stop trying to fit square pegs into round holes! Not one of his better outings in an Eagles jersey. Missed a free header in front of goal, lost possession in one of the few forrays on goal with men in decent position. Taking Mikel off may have been one of Rohr’s best moves as coach thus far
Iwobi 6.5/10 – Here’s a message for Coach Rohr, Iwobi is not a winger! Did his best to try to unlock the defence in the first half and in truth it was either him or Chukwueze that looked the most likely. Once given the keys with the withdrawal of Mikel, his true value shone. He was the link between defence and attack. His greatest asset is keeping it simple and quick and this was on display in the buildup to the goal. He will grow in this position if allowed to stay there.
Chukwueze 7/10 – The boy is a natural with the ball at his feet. Experience will improve his decision making but we can see he’s the danger man upfront. A superb first half but a quieter second as it seemed the burundi defence paid him more attention coupled with the eagles emphasizing attacks thru the left flank. That mazy run around the 18 yard box was a thing of beauty. Need better end product though.
Onuachu 4/10 – Was kind of a waste of space for most of the evening. No hold up play nor intelligent off the ball runs that I can remember. Took a shot when the better play was a pass to a wide open teammate on the left. Perhaps given too much too soon. I hope he’s better than what we saw today
SUBS
Awaziem 6/10 – He tried. Considering he’s not a right back by trade. kept it simple throughout. Needs work on his crossing (why can’t we cross the football for heaven’s sake?!)
Musa 6.5/10 – To me this is Musa at his best. An impact sub that can change the tempo of a game and this is exactly what he did. His final ball is still (and probably always will be) something to be improved upon. Nice stroke with the outside of his right foot to find Ighalo in the box.
Igahlo 7/10 – In almost 20 minutes of playing time, the burundi defenders were aware that a danger man was a threat around their 18 yard box. Gave a clinic on how to play center forward for Onuachu and Oshimen to take notes. Took his goal superbly well. Created space for a thudering shot from about 24 yards out. His poor touch from a Musa pass denied him another sight of goal but he’s made his point and should be the first name on Gernot Rohr’s team sheet on Wednesday against Guinea.
Oga Rohr 6/10 – Gets credit for recognizing the need to switch out Mikel and place Iwobi in the number 10 role. He should take the blame for our goalkeeping woes. He’s had almost two years to find a solution but hasn’t really seemed to want to.
Spot on
This rating reflects the true nature of the our players’ display. Weldone.
@Lord AMO, great analysis. Kudos!
The goalkeeper was the reason why Nigeria won today. Ighalo was super as well.
To be honest, Akpeyi really tried his best. He made good and vital saves. It was just one mistake I saw, the one he handled the ball and dropped. He is trying
‘Akpeyi’ is a natural disaster waiting to happen. I hope he stop fidgeting and shaking like fowl wen rain beat. Super eagles kept trying to penetrate thru the middle by force but lack common sense to be unpredictable by trying d wing and cross d ball and dribble inside or cut inside or unpredictably try d middle of their defensive structure! It would have been better and less work to open scores. Goodluck next time..
Naija!!! Una nor go stop to complain..Uzoho nor good,Ezenwa get fault,Akpeyi dey shake..na who Una come want na?? Akpeyi is d best among dem and gave a brilliant performance last night..Even d De gea,Enderson, etc still made errors..so Akpeyi is a human..my people d guy try..haba.. dis was one of Super eagles best performance since after d world cup , everyone clicked except Mikel..Well done to d technical crew for d changes made quickly. Up Super eagles.!
Nigeria and their wahala of Mr know it all. Nobody was talking about the coach masterstroke of starting with Chukwueze in that match, nobody is complaining of the coach not making timely substitution also nobody was talking about the team getting all the 3 point today rather they were complaining about Akpeyi jittery. Una no dey tired? what if we lost the match or it end in a draw? haba! let’s be thankful and always be optimistic of better outing in the subsequent matches. Good luck super eagles.
Don’t mind them my brother. Rohr is not this Rohr is not that…!
They are all beginning to bite dust small by small….dem go still chop sand well well b4 this tournament end…including the ones we say Musa mohd is FAR BETTER than Ola Aina. Lolz
Equally nobody commend the coach for timely substitute and change of tactics rather
*substitution
All the negative comments are from people who have deep personal and professional frustrations in their lives. My rating; Team SE; max points; 10/10.