Completesports.com’s ADEBOYE AMOSU appraises the performance of Super Eagles, player-by-player, in their 1-0 win against the Squirrels of Benin – a 2021 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying game at the Stade Charles de Gaulle, Porto-Novo on Sunday…
MADUKA OKOYE7/10
The Sparta Rotterdam goalie didn’t have much to do in the game, but saved well from Steve Mounie’s effort
in the first half.
OLA AINA 7/10
He was replaced by Chidozie Awaziem in the second half. Performed well in the game especially in the first half.
WILLIAM TROOST-EKONG 7/10
The centre-back celebrated his 40th cap with a win. Coped well the threats of Steve Mounie and Jodel
Dossou.
LEON BALOGUN 7/10
Reliable as ever, Balogun combined well with William Troost-Ekong. Also make occasional forays upfront.
ZAIDU SANUSI 7/10
Took the corner-kick that led to the goal. A lively performance from the left-back.
WILFRED NDIDI 7/10
Wilfred didi shielded the defence admirably and also linked up with the attack.
JOE ARIBO 7/10
A better performance from his previous two games with the Super Eagles. Got the nod ahead of Oghenekaro Etebo and showed he merited his place in the starting line–up.
SAMUEL CHUKWUEZE 6/10
The Villarreal winger didn’t do too much in the game. Not one of his best outings for the Super Eagles.
HENRY ONYEKURU 6/10
Started the game well but fizzled out afterwards. Had a good understanding with Zaidu Sanusi on the left.
KELECHI IHEANACHO 5/10
Toiled hard to impress the game. He was duly replaced by Paul Onuachu in the 70th minute.
VICTOR OSIMHEN 7/10
Unlucky not to score at least a goal in the game. His well struck shot hit the upright early in the second half.
SUBSTITUTES
PAUL ONUACHU: 8/10
Scored the only game of the game in the 93rd minute. He was named man of the match.
ANAYO IWUALA 4/10
The Enyimba winger was too eager to impress with little or nothing to show for his efforts.
CHIDOZIE AWAZIEM
Not Rated.
41 Comments
CSN gave Aribo 7/10. And yet he’s called a disappointment. I tire o.
I’m impressed with all the lads.
CSN ratings is spot on.I hope @pompei you saw Aribo’s ratings!
CSN ratings is spot on.I hope @pompei you saw Aribo’s ratings!
Anayo Iwuala 4/10, like seriously? How did you arrive at these your scores? Did we watch the same game?
poor rating! Onuachu best player for which match?
For the match that his solitary goal settled sir. Goals decide matches. Ask Messi and CR7 why they have dominated the men’s game for a decade
Does that mean anytime someone scores solitary goal he wins man of the match. Super lie
When Kelechi Iheanacho sink Man Utd last week at FA cup with his goals..why was Wilfred Ndidi given the Man of d match award??? Hmmmm..Make una dey watch futbal well oo..
Weldone guys
I take heavy exception to Iwuala’s individual rating…..as far as I’m concerned, that guy is the newest REVELATION in that team, makes me wonder who really does these ratings for CS…smh
If you ask me, I’d like to even see Iwuala start straight ahead of Onyekuru in the Lesotho dead-rubber sef. Let’s see him for a full 90mins, unless Rohr is overly bothered about an unbeaten record in the Group
Onuachu:8/10?CSN na wa for una o!
That he scored does not make him the best Nigerian player on the field.Osimhen was not lucky to score but still had a good game.
His goal gave Nigeria victory and 3 points and caused defeat for the Beninoise.His goal was the difference in the encounter and the talking point of the game,so he was right to be awarded man of the match because he was the game changer,he decided the result of the match so he was indeed the man of the match.
So based on performance, if Osimhen and Onuachu were competing for one shirt, who would you start?
Buruchaga scored the goal that won the world cup for Argentina in the 1986 world cup final. According to your reasoning, that makes him the man of the match in that final. Goalsoring is important in football. But a lot of things happen before a goal is scored. Onuachu benefited from the efforts of players around him. He scored a vital goal today, and we’re all happy for him. But to rate him higher than Osimhen and Iheanacho? No.
Perhaps Onuachu will become our main striker in the near future. He certainly is good enough to achieve that. But based on today’s game alone, Osimhen and Nacho are still ahead in the pecking order.
Onuachu is deservedly man of the match. That doesn’t mean he starts the next match.
Bro your argument is only borne out of sentiment with no substance. Goals decide matches. He was voted man of the match for deciding that encounter. His goal condemned the Squirrels to their first defeat at home in 8 years. Trust me no one will remember Osimhen’s or Nacho’s efforts in today’s match come 10’years from now. But I tell you what??
Kids unborn will learn of Onuachu’s last gasp goal 20 years on from today just as every one remembers Iniesta’s winning goal at S/A 2010’wc final more than Arjen Robben’s misses
@FatherJP, wow, I give it to you. You impressed me for the first time.
Please keep it up.
Onuachu is a fantastic striker. The pattern and tactics of the coach is not working in Onuachu favor.
But we can see what he added to the team today.
Also the new guy Iwuala, did well. He plays without fear and he will blend with the rest of the squad soon. He needed to work on his final touches.
The late sub of the coach is killing the spirit of the entire team.
The wrong Sub is another thing.
The positive thing I notice about Oga Rohr is our defense.
Aina and the rest of the senders played in their natural positions which I’m very impressed and that of our back was very solid in today’s match.
All in all, we made it through. God bless Nigeria!!!
My reasoning wow!we should have respect at least be polite,it doesn’t cost a penny to write with respect for one another.
Having said that,I would never suggest for Onuachu to start ahead of Osimhen or Iheanacho far from it,but if he proves in subsequent games he deserves to play ahead of the aforementioned,so be it.
I don’t know who won the man of the match in the 1986 world cup final.
However,every match is different,sometimes the way you won just like we did at the death are celebrated more because we have resigned to a draw just almost the last kick of the game,a player decided the victory.Let say it was one all before Onuachu was introduced,and the first goal was scored by Osimhen,before Onuachu scored the decider in that context Osimhen has gathered more points for his impressive performance which was capped with a goal and possibly an assist to Onuachu goal then that may have been good enough to award Osimhen man of the match.
But in a situation no player was fantastically outstanding and one came off the bench and scored what looks to be the decider the only goal of the game and at the death.I don’t think many would argue that decision if that hero was awarded man of the match.
Forgive me if you’re offended by me saying “ACCORDING TO YOUR REASONING”.
How about “ACCORDING TO YOUR OPINION”. That should be better.
I’m fine at Pompei my bruh from another mother haha..
Dont mind these people who dont understand football. His goal was worth 3 points. Goals win matches and trophies not efforts pls
Goals win matches. With out any goal today, l will be the 1st one to call them names. Names, no matter who he is, don’t win matches. Paul Onuachu is the “man of the Match” today. No one remember a player if he runs around the whole field as a foal whose head is cut off. The home based player made good impression in those short period of time spent on the field today. There is rumor on the other site already about him from various Clubs in France, and in England who wants him. He was sharp and runs very well today. Bad belle gave him low mark because he is home based.
Iwuala rating by this reporter is a big NO and strange by this reporter, it seems he rates more only those who tips in hard currency. Poor reporting
CSN E GET WETIN SENIORMAN KELS DO UNA?
ABI NA BECOS E NOR SABI GIVE MONEY ANYHOW FOR THE SAKE OF CHEAP POPULARITY NA IM MAKE UNA NOR LIKE AM??? COS FROM THE Match I watched he was clearly one of our best that even the BEIN SPORTS experts lamented his substitution…even though I know it was for tactical reasons as the coach wanted to use 2 tall strikers in a change of tactics in order to get a result which he did…
Kelechi deserved more than a 6…
MAKE UNA NOR DEY WATCH BACK OF TV OOOO
With due respect for CSN’s ratings, I find the following a bit unusual:
1) An 8/10 rating for Onuachu just because he scored the winning goal. Come on guys.
2) Aribo had a 7/10 rating. The same rating was given to players like Osimhen, Balogun, Ekong, Sanusi, Ndidi, and Aina. Is this a joke? Without being too harsh on Aribo, everybody knows that players like Osimhen, Sanusi, Aina, Ndidi, Balogun, and Ekong where a lot more assertive in their roles today. These players were outstanding in their respective roles, compared to Aribo.
3) Aribo was rated higher than Onyekuru. This was the clincher for me. With all due respect, I’m not sure we watched the same game.
4) Iwuala was given 4/10. Hehehehehehe! What that boy did in a few minutes has made him almost a SE regular. And you rate him only 4/10?
So my good friends King S. and Greenturf, we just have to agree to disagree on this one.
I know Aribo is better than all these sideways and backward passes we are currently seeing. This ultra conservative football. Like I said, the dude is a lion at Rangers. But for Nigeria in his most recent games, he has being nothing more than a house cat. I need him to go back to being the lion that he truly is.
Otherwise, I see Etebo regaining his jersey. Etebo was much better than this. I recall his game against Croatia that made Modric heap praises on him after our game at the world cup. If Aribo wants to be starting, he needs to raise his game.
@ Pompeii with due respect, I disagree with you on Aribo. Please try rewatch that match. Respect brother.
Glory, your disagreement is welcomed and appreciated. Thanks!
@Pompei, the reason for Aribo’s massive performance in Rangers is that he plays in the No 10 role, sometimes in the right wing. Gerrard gives him the freedom to play in any way he wants so far he helps the team. But he isn’t given such role in Nigeria. And like today, he has to be careful of losing possession. There’s really no need to make passes that will be intercepted than making them. The Squirrels defended. Even at that he made through and nice forward-passes.
In Rangers, they play one two touches, which allows Aribo to be more merciless at the front. When he plays to you, you give him back the ball at the front. It’s really a different style at Rangers. If Aribo is given the freedom like the one he enjoys in Rangers and falters, I’ll agree with you.
I really have a bais for Etebo. I love him. I’m really happy that all our solid midfielders were present because I want a competition. Etebo is aggressive, yes, but he’s not as comfortable with the ball as Aribo. I think what Aribo needs is to be more assertive in @Jimmyball’s words, and not necessarily aggressive. He has now played 7 games for Nigeria he’ll only get better. When he gets his full composure, Etebo will always start from the bench. And at Etebo’s best, I don’t know who will sit for who.
Haaa, I even forgot CSN rating our best performer on the day, Kelechi Seniorman Iheanacho a paltry 6/10.
6/10 for Nacho? This has got to be an early April fool joke.
I rest my case.
I can’t imagine the abysmal level of journalism on this site. Sorry for those that didn’t watch the match but CSN is the wrong place to get facts and figures. By the way, Wilfred Ndidi was the best performer over 90+4 minutes of the match.
Ur rating is trash.
I don’t know if he got the MOM or not. But if really Onuachu got the man of the match award, it is not because he was the most outstanding SE player. Obviously, he was not. Perhaps, he got the award for being the decider of the match.
Talking about the goal he scored, it was the effort of Osimhen that gave him the chance to score the goal. Nevertheless, congratulations to him for scoring that goal. He did so well with the goal.
Lol, Omo gidi, you give it to Father JP. That is fine. What about my own? Loooool!
When we won the game you disappeared. Now you show your face.
Rohr has qualified us for the Afcon with 2 games to spare. Any comments, Omo gidi?
Anyway, no wahala. We are all entitled to our opinions.
The people that are saying Onuachu is the man of the match because he scored the winning goal, this is the same reason why players play selfishly and go for glory. Because, as Father JP said, in generations to come, nobody will remember the person that gave assist, or the person that played his heart out. All history will remember is the goal scorer.
So next time we see selfish football in the SE, we now know why!
I may not know football, and my argument may be sentimental without substance, but I’m still entitled to my opinion nonetheless. So for me, the likes of Sanusi, Osimhen and Ndidi would be my picks for the man of the match accolade. Thanks very much!
Once again, I forgot to include Nacho. Add seniorman to the list.
But what if Onuachu did not score the goal? We should learn appreciate and place people’s efforts?
@pompei, So my man. Wahala yin na nimonbakiri o lolz.
I was busy at the time and I’m less busy now and I am can do the comment one after the other now sir.
It has reaching your turn now lol and let me talk am wella oojee ahahaha.
You see gentleman, we are all Nigerians and we have a right to complain when things are not going on well with Super Eagles.
For instance, goal keeping department needed the injections of the new and fresh young goalies but the gaffer didn’t listen to our voices and he eventually dancing to our music in the end and he kept improving after the last Afcon in Egypt in that goal keepingdepartment.
The exclusive of Akpeyi, Ighalo and Ezenwa have given another opportunities to other players in the team.
Hmm. From omo9ja to omo eniyan and now omo gidi, ah, God I thank you ooooo.
Oga pompei, continue lolz.
“Rohr has qualified us for the Afcon with 2 games to spare. Any comments, Omo gidi”?
Well, I have made a comment about this today sir.
That is another achievement entirely. I give that to Oga Rohr.
I call a spade a spade you know for that my man.
The coach is trying and working really hard but here are the four issues I’m having with the gaffer.
*Wrong tactics
*no confidence,
*late sub,
*favoritism and
*sometimes rigidi.
Oga Rohr have to fixed the five issues that I have mentioned above.
In that regard, NFF have to bring someone in to help Oga Rohr. I think the introduction of Yobo have Changed the mentality of Mr. Gernot Rohr.
On the other hand, you said,
“The people that are saying Onuachu is the man of the match because he scored the winning goal, this is the same reason why players play selfishly and go for glory. Because, as Father JP said, in generations to come, nobody will remember the person that gave assist, or the person that played his heart out. All history will remember is the goal scorer.
So next time we see selfish football in the SE, we now know why”!
I as said above or earlier today, Mr. Rohr still have a lot to do in that team.
I can see that the unity among the players is huge and we saw the way the players celebrated with Onuachu after t his goal. Once again, good job to Oga Rohr.
But that doesn’t mean there’s no selfishness among our players in the team particularly in the front.
Oga Rohr needed to talk to Osimehen and Chukwueze and others in the team because it is not about these players but it all about Nigeria and Nigerians.
We still have a lot to talk about concerning Super Eagles before the Afcon in Cameroon. We can only pray to God almighty to spare our lives beyond the time.
Who doesn’t like better things kę?
Absolutely nobody my man. It is our time to go and win the trophy in Cameroon because the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon did win in Nigeria and that tournament in Cameroon is not an ordinary one.
We have to go all out to win in Cameroon. By doing so, that defeat of the 2000 Afcon in Lagos and the one before can be erased in our memories.
Mr.pompei, together we can build this our Super Eagles. One love padimi. I Omo9ja, omo eniya and now, Omo gidi cares. Ire o. God bless Nigeria!!!
The whole team did well tonight except Chukwueze, he seems to run out of ideas with poor end product and his dribbles are becoming too predictable, I think Rohr should try him on the left side so he can dribble better on his natural foot and make better crosses into the box for the strikers, this cutting inside business is surely not working for him in both club and country.
Onuachudowsky…..I hail you Bro as our HERO today, in your pre match interview you said “my strength is in the box-18”, a 12-yard goal poacher and you did exactly that to give us a sweet victory. However please do work hard on your tenacity, ruggedity, hold up play, foot work and assists so you can become the DARLING of our dear country. Yekini again comes to mind here, he hardly dribbles in his early days and a bit sluggish but he vastly improved to become the best striker of all time in SE. Constructive criticism works and you admitted to it today that the fans pushed you hard to achieve this feat. Keep working hard bro.
On Iwuala, the guy is decent but not yet there, still needs to keep his head, work harder and be more productive and more of a team player than just dribbles alone. Remember how Ejuke dribbled like 8 Tunisian players but takes the ball back into his own half at the end. Modern soccer looks at the positive impact of your presence on the pitch to give your team victory.
@banks, best comment so far, you understand football, I hail ooo
@Dr Banks.. Chukwueze is really struggling in the national team and we missed prime Victor Moses.I wish Bukayo Saka turned up for Nigeria.Chukwueze needs competition on the right side of attack.
I hope the Michael Olise news is genuine,that would be a welcome development.In that case I would rather Iwobi plays from the right,and Olise as a number 10.
We are losing today to the likes of Algeria is because of how poor and predictable Chukwueze is and the coaching crew shouldn’t make his position permanent he needs competition,we need explosive wingers like prime Victor Moses,we missed Uche Kalu and Simon Moses,either of this two can also play from the right,our coaches needs to open up competition on the right because we need to figure out ways to improve the team ahead of the world cup playoffs coming soon
Meanwhile,Cape Verde defeated Cameroon 3-1 in the other group games,we have a formidable team in Cape verde,it’s not going to be an easy ride,though I trust Rohr to make it out of the group by the grace of God.
Balogun my man, great game from you, composed and assertive performance, you even dribbles and ventured forward better than some of our midfielders today, I doff my hart to you.
It’s really funny how Balogun once lost his shirt, only to become our best defender. In life, don’t give up.
Omo gidi,
Yes, we need to go to Cameroun and win the trophy to erase bad memories of the year 2000. However, to go to Cameroun, we need to qualify first, abi? Rohr has qualified us WITH 2 GAMES TO SPARE.
Oya, as an honest man who speaks the truth, prove it to me by issuing a statement of congratulations to Mr. Rohr. Come on, Omogidi. You can do it! It won’t kill you! I promise!
Regarding Onuachu, I can tell you that only a few people in the forum are happier than me that he scored our winning goal. When others were castigating him, a few of us defended him. I said if the wingers and full backs give him service, he will deliver, as he does in his club. So, I am delighted that he scored against Benin.
However, giving him the MOM just because he scored the winning goal sets a dangerous precedent. As you said, WHO NO LIKE BETTER THING?
Will it be ok if players become selfish because they too want to win the MOM? Instead of creating an environment that makes the players compete with each other for personal accolades like MOM, it helps the team better if everyone plays for the advantage of the team as a whole.