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Following the Super Eagles 2-2 draw with Poland in Wednesday’s friendly encounter in Warsaw, Completesports.com’s ADEBOYE AMOSU appraises the performance of the players…
Maduka Okoye 7/10
The Udinese shot-stopper produced a couple of impressive saves during the match but was culpable for Portugal’s second goal.
Abdullahi Bewene 7/10
An impressive debut from the former Golden Eaglets star. He has all the attributes to become a key player in the future.
Bruno Onyemaechi 5/10
The left-back didn’t contribute much before he was replaced after the break by Zaidu Sanusi.
Emmanuel Fernandez 5/10
The centre-back will need to do more to earn a starting spot in the team. Semi Ajayi replaced him early in the second half.
Igoh Ogbu 5/10
Started alongside Emmanuel Fernandez in central defence, he was caught out of position on a couple of occasions in the first half, as was his defensive partner.
Wilfred Ndidi 7/10
The captain played the full 90 minutes against Poland and led by example, helping the Super Eagles take control of the game with a commanding midfield display.
Tochukwu Nnadi 6/10
The Olympic Marseille midfielder delivered a solid display, linking up effectively with Ndidi and Frank Onyeka in midfield. He nearly got a goal too.
Frank Onyeka 6/10
Solid performance from the midfielder. Raphael Onyedika took his place after the break.
Moses Simon 6/10
The winger teed up Terem Moffi for Nigeria’s first goal. A lively display from the Paris FC man.
Read Also:Friendly: Poland Snatch Late Goal To Force Super Eagles To 2-2 Draw
Akor Adams 5/10
He started the game brightly, but faded as it progressed. Overall, it was not one of his better performances for the Super Eagles.
Terem Moffi 7/10
The striker scored in second consecutive game for the Super Eagles. Moffi also impressed with his relentless pressing and work rate up front.
Substitutes
Zaidu Sanusi 4/10
He gave the ball away cheaply in the second half, a mistake that almost resulted in a goal for Poland.
Philip Otele 5/10
Full of pace and power, Otele caused Poland plenty of problems after coming on for Akor Adams. However, he still needs to improve the quality of his final ball.
Calvin Bassey 4/10
Took time to get going following his introduction after the break.He misplaced a couple of passes which put the defence under pressure.
Semi Ajayi 5/10
Cool as ever, Ajayi delivered a composed and assured performance in the second half.
Rafiu Durosinmi 3/10
He came on for Tochukwu Nnadi, but the Pisa striker struggled to make an impact and contributed little during his time on the pitch.
Raphael Onyedika 5/10
Onyedika missed a good opportunity to score his fourth goal at the international level in the second half, but it was nevertheless an impressive outing for the Club Brugge midfielder.
Paul Onuachu 6/10
The towering striker scored Nigeria’s second goal from the penalty spot in the second half. His physical presence caused plenty of problems for the Polish defence and helped keep them under constant pressure.
Fisayo Dele-Bashiru 3/10
He replaced Moses Simon three minutes after the hour mark.He didn’t contribute much in the game.
15 Comments
Oniachu is a lazy striker.. failed to use his strength and height advantage.. Lost control of more than 50% of the balls he received, had a great chance to score but headed wide..
If he had held on most of those balls that got to him, no way the polish would have the time to score.
Moffi, Akor, and Awoniyi are still ahead of him.
Okoye has not learnt his lesson when it comes to handling shot from outside box..
In my own estimation, the Bekene guy has a good chance of becoming a regular team member..
How could you concede a goal at the last minute in the injury time. That is why we didn’t qualify for the World Cup finals.
This friendly game has shown CLEARLY that this team truly needs new blood, new energy, new drive, new determination.
It’s clear the old guard that has stagnated this team for 2 WC cycles now need to give way.
There no better time to start but NOW.
First goal was conceded in first half stoppage time.
2nd goal was also conceded 2nd half stoppage time.
Chelle…..over to you.
Dr Drey Oga I hate Ndidi, Raphael Onyedika is better than Ndidi Blah Blah Blah, Even though you will never let your Misplaced ego admit to the fact that, Ndidi is the reason Nigeria did not make AFCON Final With Ndidi in the team he automatically plays like 2 Players in one he covers the position of 2 Players in that Midfield.
In Hindsight Now Tochukwu Nnadi would have been the natural replacement for Ndidi in that Midfield in AFCON semi Finals NOT Onyedika!!!..
Ndidi Double Engine the Best Midfielder in Nigeria Currently God Bless Nnadi in him we now have a natural replacement for Ndidi,,
If Nigeria had made this WC with Ndidi, Osimhen, Bassey, Lookman and Nnadi we may have gone far, even Benjamin Fredericks I am sure the coach would have also selected him and trust he would come fit by Knockouts. We can Only Wish!!!!
Ugo,
I agree with you that Ndidi remains relevant to the ambition”s of the Super Eagles in the short term.
Its almost 6 months, and you are yet to tell us what Ndidi would have done differently vs Morocco in a match that ended 0-0 after 120 mins….LMAOoooo. In a match where every dangerous player, including the coach, was actively neutralised by the Moroccans………LMAOoooo. You just go on ranting baselessly about Ndidi being the reason we didn’t make it to the final……..LMAOooo.
Not in 1050 caps will we ever get to a place in our national team where we can say we lost a game because Ndidi was absent. It is you who needs to drop your ego and obsession and take up some common sense in its place. Ndidi covers 2 positions, my foot……LMAOooo. A player who barely exists beyond 65 minutes these days while playing 1 position….LMAOoo..???
I know you’ve been licking Ndidi’s toes for years now, even declaring him captain of the team before he ever became one…….but i think you should rest now ehn.
Even the blind can see now……Look at the young exuberant midfielders in the team now…. the mobility, the drive, the ability to hit shots on target from outside the box (unlike your ndidi who cant do that even in the 6 yard box), look at the forward passes from deep from Onyedika, look at the 1-touch defence splitting give and go he gave to Simon in the 60th minute, which Simon didn’t read properly. These are the reason why we have been clamouring for new blood in this team.
People like you are the reason why the team has stalled for a long time, cannot create chances without Iwobi and score goals without Osimhen. A product of a very static and uninspiring midfield ably marshalled by your tin-god.
See now…..3 games 7 goals without any of those 2, thanks to an increased midfield mobility as well as the ability to transition in quick time.
I repeat, if we are to maintain the tempo at which we are playing now, Ndidi needs to give way to midfielders who are ready to offer more than just sideways passes. We need DMs who can create from deep and Ndidi is an old dog who cannot learn new tricks. It’s time for him to play the Keshi/Yobo role now and allow this team to move forward.
I repeat once more, seniority is the reason Ndidi is still starting games in the SE now…..otherwise we have enough personnel in our midfield to tell him to excuse us. Ndidi wouldnt even dare test his usefulness to the SE at this time by doing what Osimhen has done time and again – recuse himself from SE duties…..LMAooo
Poland vs Nigeria (2:2) – Retrospective Reflection
Personally, I think the criticisms levelled against Goalkeeper Okoye yesterday by a cross-section of fans should be seen within a wider context. Yes, the shot was unleashed from an embarrassingly long distance; yes, self-respecting goalkeepers should not be beating from that range; yes, that late goal at that late time rubbed us of a well-deserved victory. However, as other fans had pointed out, which is self-evident from watching the match, Okoye pulled off several camera-friendly, credibly executed, competently controlled saves in the same match.
The sad reality is, it seems Okoye and Uzoho suffer from the same deficiency, which opposition teams are aware of: both of them are comically susceptible to long, very long, range shots. Why this is, I will never know, but whenever either of these 2 is in post, we will likely concede from range, which then, sadly, tarnishes and upends all the good work they have done in the same match. I remain a fan of Uzoho, but Okoye, not that much. But, give praise where it is due: Okoye did well overall yesterday with his deft distributions, sublime saves and authoritative command of his area.
The team at large looked good. Their high pressing strategy kept the Polish goalkeeper on his toes, even forcing him to make mistakes with hasty clearances, one of which Akor Adams failed to capitalise. Speaking of Adams, he wasn’t the star of the attacking show today; Moffi was. It was Moffi who forced the issue to stab home the opener in 23 minutes, underscoring his relevance to the starting 11.
Nnadi was unplayable, sticking to the ball like cement to bricks. He would unleash a belter from range that would sting the palm of the Polish goalie; wild, wonderful! Simon’s set-piece deliveries were terrible, but he went past his marker on occasions and crossed into dangerous areas, one such for the first goal.
Ndidi and Onyeka played with this air of maturity, although Onyeka was clumsy on occasions, falling off and looking befuddled. That said, they both marshalled the midfield with authority and intent, intent enough for Ndidi to have a leg in the first goal initially ruled offside.
Nigeria would often have this long spell of possession, which frustrated the Poles. A combination of high and low passing routines was employed to control play and dictate the rhythm, leading to the Super Eagles enjoying 51% possession, which was positive possession as it contributed to the 2 goals scored.
Onyeamachi was purposeful in possession and professional in defence. His tackles, long ball attempts and general movements could hardly be faulted. Fernandez and Ogbu combined well to foil the Poles inside Nigeria’s 18-yard box with tackles and interceptions that sadly went missing after the corner kick routine that gave the Poles their 1st goal.
Young right back Abdulahi Bewene was not overawed by the occasion. He chewed the scenery with poise, elegance and grace, striking a functioning relationship with players around him, players he hitherto had never played with. Though his game is rough around certain edges, his recovery rate, his passes, his interceptions, his interactions all marked him out as suitably appointed.
I had supreme confidence when Onuachu picked up the ball that he would score that penalty after earlier directing a powerful header agonisingly wide. He held the ball well, he lost the ball carelessly: it was a mixed bag performance from the big man. How I wished Onyedika had kept his composure and the ball low, Nigeria could have been 3:1 up. Otele was explosive down the right with his runs and successful take-ons, but the end-product of his crosses was often poor.
Zaidu is fast losing his place as even a home-based Super Eagles left back left a more memorable impression last week. Put simply, Zaidu looks out-of-sorts in positioning and passing, though he produced a credible effort on goal. Bassey was his bullish self (a Daniel Amokachi in defence), always ready for last-ditch tackles, clearances and interceptions that take advantage of his physicality and technique.
Ajayi was professional and a hair’s breadth away from providing an assist with a powerful cross to Onuachu. Dele-Bashiru’s painful struggle to carve out a niche and create an identity for himself under Chelle. He shone like a million stars as a lethal, balls-to-the-wall, irrepressible, irresistible, explosive attacking midfielder under Finidi George and Austin Eguavoen’s formations. Under Chelle, is he a winger, attacking midfielder, right full-back or centre midfielder? I am lost; he looked lost yesterday.
And Durosimi was unlikely to score, but, as always, used the force of his physicality to unsettle the Polish defenders.
Coach Chelle has now masterminded 12 straight games unbeaten (regulation time) for the Super Eagles; for this, he should be commended.
It is very funny how you demand a wall of at least five men to block a freekick from that range and then expect Okoye to fly like Superman when no defender closed down the Polish guy allowing him to take all the time to line up and blast that shot.
There os a reason why so many goals have been scored from long range since South Africa 2010 World Cup… the balls have been dsigned to move faster and swerve more.
The solution is to block high on defending.
Thumbs up brother man @The master. You are far better than other Tolotolo pundits. Okoye is far better than Nwabali.
Onuachu was largely at fault!He was lazy and knackered…He should have closed down on the Polish player,but the lazy bean pole player was ball watching..
I don’t know why he’s still getting call to the super eagles!He should be analysed by what he did in England,if I were the coach,I won’t list him based on what he does in Turkey..I don’t rate the Turkish league. Is like playing league 2 football in England..Or division 3 in France..Aside Besiktas,Fernabahce and Galatasaray, three teams that are at English championship level,the rest are shite!
Apparently,what these players do is,when they fail in top leagues they run to Turkey to gain relevance and back to the national team.I blame the national team coaches for not setting standards for national team invitation.
I’m happy with the team but the current nff exco and technical committee must go. They should be replaced with more competent ones.
The injection of new players was all we needed after we lost the 2022 WCQ to Ghana. They kept interfering in the team with the recycling of underperformers who turned themselves to landlord.
Why now, is it a bait to distract us from the disastrous handling of the team now that election is near.
I’m not buying
Chelle is doing the right thing with the injection of suitable players.
At the just concluded Unity cup, I saw the best combination of midfield in years. Nnadi, Tijani, and Yusuf covered spaces, maintained balance and possession.
Nwabali is the most reliable for now…
What is Uzoho doing in the team!! He should give way for the young chap.
The defence is secured with the integration of Fernandez, and Bekene.
Ndidi is still relevant in midfield, Onyeka is clumsy, Onyedika is not consistent. Nnadi, Tijani, and Yusuf be fully integrated into the team.
For the attack, Moffi is still relevant, Femi Azeez is here to stay.
In my own estimation, these new faces should be added to the 15 players that showed up.in the last AFCON .
Moffi, Yusuf. Tijani, Fernandez, Okoye, Nnadi, Azeez, Okonkwo, and Bekene.
Too bad Nigeria fans are attacking and supporting as usual without remembering one important thing.
In the past , super eagles had pulled up surprises by playing good football in the friendlies like Brazil – Nigeria, Ukraine- Nigeria etc and now we are on 12 game unbeaten . Why? We’ve been playing on a very good football pitch. Wait till the qualifiers and start seeing struggling super eagles. At a point last term, Super Eagles were winning away games more than Home games until NFF succumb to the pressure form football fans and moved to Uyo.
The question is, how is Uyo stadium now? Is it in good shape? , Do we have any Alternative? Which I strongly doubt.
As for Okoye, he had played away in Russia and performed, played away to Poland and has been been one of the best if not 4th in Africa at present. So one goal from the opposition team is not supposed to drop him. Nwabali isn’t Active at present so whether we like it or not, Okoye is the best ŵe have..
Eric Chelle has really shown that without Iwobi, Lookman, Aina , Osimhen, Bassey(who came from bench) and Ajayi(same) that’s 6 out of 11 starter, we can deliver. which has been my prayer all these while. We still need to try more players like Maccandalli, Njinma, etc I won’t pray to witness Osimhen less struggling team again. Chelle stays .he had done he’s part …left for NFF to do theirs.
By far @ Sean your comment is the best, I don’t know why some of us can’t see many positive take home from this game.
Chelle is building a new team, one in which absence of some players won’t hold the team to ransome.
We need to see that aba, some fans here are wiked jare.
@Wile, these so called fans are worst. But you are wealthy and wise.
“So one goal from the opposition team is not supposed to drop him”.
Very insensitive and if you are professional sport analyst, coach, commentator or even footballer, I would have said maybe unprofessional to say too….
But its obvious some of you are not….
Some of you are not even passionate or even die hard fans of the se….
So its very easy to stay in your one room self contain….
Ontop your student matrass…
With your teckno mobile phone with damaged screen and 100 mb borrowed from mtn to talk anyhow in public…..
Do you know that that one goal which made them to equalize late on, ruin many nigerians night??
Do you know how happy it would have been for some of us nigerians that have that winning mentality and also want same for our team be it friendly or not???
Do you know how happy we would have gone to bed yesterday night and had sweet sleep knowing our darling super eagles won???
Do you know how many defenders and goalkeepers(for not stopping, blocking, saving a ball into their net) career that just one goal has ruin???
From regular starters to bench warmers ….
From first choice to second or even third choice and then to the player getting sold by a serious and no nonsense coach…..