FC Cologne defender Kingsley Ehizibue has praised the performance of the team in Friday night 2-1 away win against SC Paderbon at the Benteler-Arena, reports Completesports.com.
Jorge Mere and Jonas Hector gave Cologne a 2-0 half-time lead, while Dennis Srbeny hit-back late on for for the hosts.
“For me, we had a good performance. As a team we have to stay humble, but be happy and focus on the next game,” Ehizibue told reporters after the game.
Ehizibue, who was named in Nigeria’s squad for this month’s 2021 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying double-header against Sierra Leone was on for the entire duration of the game.
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The right-back has featured in 22 league games for Cologne this season and scored once.
Paderbon also paraded Super Eagles left-back Jamilu Collins for 90 minutes in the game.
Cologne head into the rest of the weekend in 10th position ahead of the remaining fixtures.
Markus Gisdol’s charges travel to Gladbach on Wednesday for their next league game.
By Adeboye Amosu
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COMMENTS
Player Ratings: Collins vs Ehizibue
In the battle of the Super Eagles Full backs (on either side) that played out yesterday in Paderborn’s 1:2 loss to Cologne, I take a look at how Jamilu Collins and Kingsley Ehizibue fared.
Jamilu Collins (6.7/10) : Although his team lost, Collins was rated quite highly in this encounter that saw him have a very busy match indeed.
Paderborn played with a back four with Collins receiving the second highest ratings among his fellow defenders.
Playing for 90 minutes, Collins made 1 key clearance and 4 interceptions.
He didn’t have to deal with much aerial threats as these were directed into the heart of the defence. As for ground duels, Jamilu won 3 out of 5.
Of the overall 79 times that he touched the ball, Collins made 36 accurate passes, attempting 3 long balls and 6 crosses.
The heat map generated after the match showed Collins very active pushing away from his 18 yard box as he attempted to make things happen for his club.
The 24 year old Kaduna-born defender did not deserve to be on the losing side.
Kingsley Ehizibue (7.1/10): the German-born defender would have loved to venture more forward in this encounter but heat map generated after the match showed that he played safe by spending more time on his own part of the pitch.
Playing 90 minutes, Kingsley made 2 clearances, 4 interceptions and 6 tackles as he played his part in securing a lead that helped propel his team further towards Europa league qualifiers.
He won 7 ground and 1 aerial duels, enough to help guarantee a favourable outcome.
Of the 67 times that his boots kissed the ball, he made 27 accurate passes, 1 cross and 1 long ball.
Quoting a CSN contributor (Big D) after the match, he wrote: ‘Kingsley was assured in his tackles.
He is fast, strong and made some great decisions. He only lost his man once all game and several times he pinched the ball off his opponent as well as made timely interventions.
The description of a “cultured defender” could not be more apt. He will do well in the Super Eagles.’
The Nigerian, Ehizibue is a complete blocker, a defender of a both close and open play, receptive of any defense tactics. He appropriately deploys all that is required and too good coachie Rohr finds him good for the eagles defense. We need more of this guy. God bless Nigeria
fine blackman. u love it