Following the Super Eagles’ 0-0 draw with the Black Stars of Ghana in Friday night’s 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifiers playoffs first leg tie, Completesports.com‘s ADEBOYE AMOSU appraises the performance of the players on the scale of 1-10…
FRANCIS UZOHO 7/10
Put up a commanding performance in goal. The Super Eagles goalkeeper made a stunning save in the first half and exhibited total confidence all through.
OLA AINA 7/10
One of Nigeria’s best performers on the night. Did a good job in keeping Ghana’s danger man Jordan Ayew at bay.
WILLIAM TROOST- EKONG 7/10
A real rock in the Super Eagles’ defence. Made a number of vital blocks and didn’t show any sign of rustiness despite limited playing time at his club.
LEON BALOGUN 7/10
The Glasgow Rangers defender made a vital clearance to deny Ghana’s danger man, Afena Gyan, a clear sight on goal in the first half. He combined well with William Troost-Ekong to ward off the threats of the Black Stars.
Also Read – 2022 WCQ Playoffs: Eagles Did Not Disappoint Against Ghana In Kumasi –Okocha
ZAIDU SANUSI 6/10
Did his defensive job dutifully even though he didn’t make too much forays upfront.
INNOCENT BONKE 5/10
The FC Lorient of France midfielder didn’t do too much to show he has the quality to replace the injured Wilfred Ndidi. He was replaced by Oghenekaro Etebo after picking up an injury.
JOE ARIBO 4/10
Joe Aribo struggled to cope with the physicality of the Ghanaians. A below par showing from the highly rated midfielder.
KELECHI IHEANACHO 5/10
He struggled to get going in the game. It was a surprise to see him lasted the entire 90 minutes.
MOSES SIMON 5/10
The winger wasted the Super Eagles’ best chance of the game 10 minutes after the break. He was not at his best.
SAMUEL CHUKWUEZE 5/10
Failed to impress until his substitution for Emmanuel Dennis a minute before the hour mark.
VICTOR OSIMHEN 5/10
Lacked support upfront which affected his performance. Had a tame effort saved in the first half.
SUBSTITUTES
EMMANUEL DENNIS 5/10
Came in for Samuel Chukwueze in the 59th minute. He put the Ghanaian defence under pressure and coped well with the crowd.
FRANK ONYEKA 5/10
Helped stabilize the midfield following his introduction. He is definitely a good option in midfield.
OGHENEKARO ETEBO 5/10
His experience and high work rate helped put pressure off the Super Eagles’ defence. He certainly put himself in contention to start the second leg.
CALVIN BASSEY 5/10
The left-back didn’t do badly on his debut appearance for the Super Eagles.
ADEMOLA LOOKMAN 5/10
Leicester City winger, Ademola Lookman had his debut for Nigeria. Made a few forays from the flank after replacing Moses Simon in the 74th minute.
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COMMENTS
The guys tried.
Super Eagles tried.
Playing in hostile environment is not easy. It always affect payers performance no matter how good you are.
You guys will see the best of Super Eagles in the second leg. Remember, 90% of Super Eagles players experienced this kind of hostile environment for the first time in this first leg.
Nigeria would have won the match if it’s not the VAR referee that saved ghana. The referee on the pitch knew that it was a clear penalty and the reason why he awarded it but the VAR referee quickly came to rescue ghana.
No hiding place for ghana in Nigeria. ghana plaid the match in the night for their evil and dubious plan and they failed.
We are all going to see real Super Eagles performance in the second leg.
God bless Nigeria.
And once again, well done Super Eagles of Nigeria.
Well guys the 1st have we could see that Ndidi was missing… We should start searching for a standing defensive midfielder… We struggled with the pace of the Ghanaians team… But overall super eagles never game up… I could easily say Leon Balogun was the best defender… Also I think the coach should start all the substitutes first…. Moses Simon should come in from the bench…
Very inaccurate rating..
There is no way Ekong will get the same rating as Uzoho Balo or Aina or Zaidu. He was the weakest link in the defence.
You must be on drugs..
Moseas, Iheanacho and Chukwueze will never 50% of Aribo’s rating…
CSN should please stop this ungrateful and silly report..
Confusionists like this rater are the reasons why average players like Iheanacho, Chukwueze, Moses and Ekong think the first eleven is their
Very lopsided and inaccurate rating.
If you have been following the post-ratings of Super Eagles on CSN you would have noticed that they particularly like to overrate Samuel Chukwueze even when it was obvious that the player’s performance was below par.
Am not talking of that, ” high on drug” is not necessary
You can make your point without insult. We need to learn to accommodate other peoples views and opinion.
Confusionist may not necessary be insulting depending on the context.
So high on drug is complementary…lol
This guy just wrote something and paste it. You think we be mumu? Nah only Sabi watch ball? How will you rate Samuel Eze 5, rate Aribo 4, rate rate Oshime 5. Your rating self the beg questions whether you watch the match. Aribo was the only midfielder that was trying to move the ball forward. Bonkey was hidding throughout his positioning for passes was totally poor and because of that Aribo struggle. Moses was doing beyond himself taking the ball to the crowd, Eze was as usual playing childish game. Kelechi was was running without aimlessly and Oshime was fighting took and nails to get the ball into Ghanaian net yet you rate him low.
Lol. Aribo was the worst Eagles player for you? Which game were you watching?
The CSN analyst who wrote this report definitely must have had quite a few drinks before kickoff :):)
**first 11 is their birth right**
May the person that did this rating get the same treatment he gave to Aribo in his entire life and career..
Uzoho 7.5, Balo 7, Zaidu 7, Aina 9, Ekong 5, Bonke 6, Aribo 7.5, Chukwueze 3, Iheanacho 4, Osimhen 6.
Onyeka 7, Etebo 6, Bassey 5, Lookman 5, Dennis 6.
Iheanacho was a solid 2 in my book.
By far, the worst player on the pitch today.
@Larry… Very correct. Iheanacho has no workrate, couldn’t mark, looked scared and played very casual and lazily. I don’t know what Eguaveon was smoking to think Iheanacho can impress in attacking midfield more than Joe Aribo or Akin Amoo!
If we make it Past Ghana, Eguaveon a clearly deficient coach should just trek back to his Technical Director job. I was massively impressed by Onyeka last night and I nominate him alongside Etebo to start in Abuja in a double pivot.
Chukwueze is a one-dimensional player, alongside Iheanacho and in my opinion Moses Simon, they should never be starters for a solid brand team like Super Eagles. This is why we keep talking of Anthony Nwakaeme, imagine that guy with the chance Moses Simon got yesterday and puffed it.
We don’t need players who only know how to dribble whiteman, most who are not strong and can’t run. They come against Africans like then begin to act like scared little girls.
I have summed up my ball knowledge on Iheanacho for long on this forum, players like him and Chukwueze can’t be relied upon. How long are we going to keep shutting players out for these ones.
Even Victor Osimhen need to growup and play men football. He was thumbling down at every slight challenge yesterday and I hate all the theatrical hand gestures and wailings putting hands on the head and lamenting and all that… Etebo impressed me, Onyeka. Again… William-Troost is a calamity waiting to happen, if not for Balogun we would have lost yesterday.
I do not know what the coached continue to use Ekong, that guy to me has never been Super Eagles material. Umeruo, Awaziem, Semilogo are far better defenders and ball-playerw than Ekong.
@JimmyBall, Eguaveon and Amuneke are not smoking anything these are pay to play coaches, did u know how much money Amunuke made from the sales of Chukwueze and osimihen alone. Look at their selections, look at the starting eleven, these buffoons played only one holding midfielder against a midfield powerhouse, even Germany or England wouldn’t disrespect Ghana like that. Iheanacho and chukwueze has no business in starting for Nigeria. But these people would rather sacrifice Aribo, Amoo for them.
That’s ur opinion
What has happened to complete sports? Did you guys watch this game at all?
Aribo was the best midfielder and was ahead of Senior man and others who were missing in action
Uzoho 8
Aina 7
Zaidu 5
Ekong 6
Balogun 7
Bonkke 4
Iheanacho 3
Chukwueze 2
Simon 3
Osinmeh 5
Aribo was Nigeria’s best midfielder in the game at Kumasi.CSN, are you sure we both watched the same game? This is rubbish analysis.
@Larry, wisdom, knowledge and courage will never depart you. Partey was quite today because of Aribo. Iheanacho and Chukwueze were minus two in this game. In Abuja he should start Onyeka, Etebo and Aribo in the midfield Simon, Osimihen and Denis in the attack. But the pay to play coaches wouldn’t listen. Italy lost at home no more home advantages for any teams.
There is no such thing as home advantage, it’s nonexistent. They have to put in the work to get the desired result.
Reason why I like Germany defenders is because of they concentration and ruggedity. That’s why coaching crew need call up Opkoguma. Germany defenders are no nonsense defenders. Balogun save Nigeria many times. His Co defender ekong got tired dieing time but he rose and cover up. Ola aina is another carnivorous number 2. Making runs and helping in Midfield sometimes. Ghana is not easy team!
I’m happy you know that Ghana is no easy team. You guys depended so much on the Ghana defeat to Comoros you forgot that Ghana is a formidable team. Italy lost to north Macedonia yesterday. Football has completely changed
How on earth will you rate Moses higher than Aribo? Did you guys watch the match at all? Aribo was best midfielder until he taken off. He was the reason Partey didn’t do too well. He also contributed to the team going forward, and almost got a goal. What exactly did Iheanacho do that you gave him 5?
Bonke is good but not conny defensive Midfielder like Ndid. Bonke is not ball carrier. His a standing number4. He need to add movement in his game.
I don’t understand how Chukwueze will make a team and Ejuke won’t be good enough for the same team, it’s hilarious
Ejuke plays like he’s playing gulf or tennis.
Ghana’s midfield will win the second leg in Abuja.
The Eagles won’t fly.
How come Ghana midfield couldn’t win the game in Kumasi?
I thought the stadium was so dreaded!
The game of football is not won by mouth and it’s not prophesy sir. Nigeria SUPER EAGLE is not small.
Hahaha Ghanian like consoling themselves always !!…at least we have demistified thier dreaded juju kumasi stadium, go Eagles!!
In ur heart, u know ur team is overrated and overhyped
No talent !
Ghana is arguably the most technically gifted team in Africa and it was evident today!!
Neutrals knew who was the better team today with flair
Ur team is still rigid with just power and pace using wingers
Dat’s ur opinions
You lie!
@Father your midfield didn’t win im Ghana but will win in Nigeria. Pls wake up from sleep ok. Don’t worry that midfield will be reshuffle and shut out your so called midfield play.
Why didn’t Ghana’s midfield win in Kumasi, their home?
They want to kill the game in Abuja.
A child who could not is timid to fight in front of his Papa’s house and says ”when we get outside, I will show you the stuff I am made of”
is nothing but a bastard.
Fair game for Nigeria.
Eguavoen is really not a tactical coach.
if only Egue let Akin Amoo play today. We would have won this match in Ghana.
You are very correct. I dont know why Eguavoen didn’t play Akin Amoo.
I also noticed the Coach did not list Amoo on the bench, i worry about Eguavoen’s technical sagacity.
Talking of Eguavoen, I personally do not believe in his ability. He is a good coach but when it’s comes to the technical aspects of the game he’s always edged out. Imagine Nigeria against Tunisia AFCON and the same thing against Ghana. Don’t forget that he has been Super Eagles coach before and was sacked.
I want to believe he didn’t play him because he wants to use him as a surprise package in the 2nd leg at home…lol.
Brief player ratings.
The Super Eagles tamed the hostile Kumasi crowd tonight by ensuring the Black Stars were forced to a 0:0 draw despite the hosts’ desperation to bag at least 1 goal.
It wasn’t a vintage Super Eagles performance by a country mile but, if truth be told, they came out of the lions den with a result that puts them firmly on the front foot in Abuja in 4 days time.
I take this opportunity to submit my player ratings:
– Francis Uzoho (6.5/10) was up to the task for the times he was tested. Punching away a bullet of a long range shot and calmly palming to his near post were just but few highlights of his all round impressive performance tonight.
His distribution was also commendable but crucially he looked assured and well composed. I have said it severally that playing in a more mainstream league doesn’t make Okoye better than Uzoho. In truth, Uzoho looked the part tonight and conducted himself as one would expect of a national team goalkeeper of respectable quality.
– Ola Aina (6.5/10) took sometime to get going but once in the groove, he was near-unplayable. He performed his defensive duties competently and tried to instigate attacking initiatives. He seemed more than a match for whatever the Ghanaians threw at him. Some few but truly memorable Super Eagles moments of tonight came from Aina.
It is safe to say that he has made that right fullback shirt his own.
– William Troost-Ekong (6/10) has Balogun to thank for saving his bacon on a number of occasions tonight. The plus side to this is that the chemistry between the Oyinbo Wall was as solid as ever in this game. It was like they hadn’t been separated all this while as both complemented each other.
Ekong also played with assurance which helped reduce the Ghanaians to speculative efforts at times. He could have played better but what can be better than being part of a defensive apparatus that kept a clean sheet in this hostile territory?
– Leon Balogun (7.5/10) gets a high mark for several facets of his game tonight. His recovery rate was excellent, his last ditch sliding tackles were of supreme quality, his level of concentration was faultless and he dispatched his overall defensive duties with cast iron efficiency. Most eye-catching was when he bailed out the likes of Zaidu and Ekong with Ghanaian strikers bearing down on Uzoho: simply sublime stuff from Balogun.
It is not a stretch to suggest that Nigeria fans owe a debt of gratitude to Balogun for this game ending 0:0 tonight.
He also tried to drive the ball forward with mixed effect.
– Zaidu Sanusi (6/10) could have bagged himself an assist had Osimhen been better placed to control and finish off one of his crosses. The Porto man’s chemistry with Simon was acceptable. His willingness to join attack showed ambition but left the backline a bit wafer thin at times.
Zaidu put himself about and tried to help Nigeria gain a foothold in this game. He was by no means a passanger and his willingness to get stuck in things has to be commended.
– Innocent Bonke (5.5/10) in the views of many didn’t do enough to stabilise Nigeria’s midfield. It could be argued that he didn’t make his presence felt and perhaps this stage was too big for him.
I don’t buy any of these arguments one bit.
Bonke in my view dropped very deep to support the defence and he did make some clearances and interceptions which are his primary subroutines. With the Ghanaians employing long balls from deep, Bonke had to move in the direction of the ball to provide sheild and cover where required.
But he didn’t do much with the ball and didn’t generate eye catching meaningful attacking initiatives for his team.
– Joe Aribo (6.5/10) toiled all night long and hard to try to interpret Eguavoen’s philosophy of building from deep and playing the ball on grass rather that just hoofing it in the air but met meagre success. He put himself about a lot and worked his socks off but ultimately his end product wasn’t always up to scratch as evident in an effort he balooned to the heavens inside the 18 yard box.
Aribo tried to combine with Chukwueze, Osimhen and Simon on occasions but their passes either broke down or they were just curtailed by the Ghanaians.
For effort, endeavour and persistence, Aribo can’t be faulted. But the hostile terrain, limited support from Iheanacho and unfamiliar midfield partner didn’t help Aribo’s course much.
– Kelechi Iheanacho’s (4.5/10) Jekyll and Hyde national team career continues. What we saw today was Mr Iheanacho-Hyde as he was truly awful on occasions. He was not fluid enough to support Aribo, he seemed to fall down at the slightest tackle, he was largely anonymous, his passes lacked imagination, he didn’t seem to put himself about and he failed to bring anything close to his ‘A’ game to the fore.
Funnily, I actually understand why he lasted 90 minutes. Iheanacho is one of those players who can go anonymous for long spells in a game only to come alive when least expected with a game-changing moment.
One such moment did happen tonight but sadly it went painfully against Nigeria as the foul that followed Iheanacho’s press rubbed his team of a life saving penalty kick deep in the second half following VAR review !
– Moses Simon (5.5/10) appears to be slipping back into old habits of trying to take on defenders needlessly when an alternative approach may have served him better. Having been located with a glorious through pass inside the 18 yard box, there is an argument to be made that perhaps a player of his calibre ought to have scored rather than the save he drew from the Ghana goalkeeper.
Saying Moses was sub par tonight might sound harsh but more was expected of him than he delivered. Interestingly, the Ghanaians didn’t have to overly gang up on him before neutralising his threats.
But, in fairness, Moses Simon’s work off the ball helped the team to maintain its shape and (as usual) he pulled his weight defensively.
– Samuel Chukwueze (5.5/10) was alert to provide extra body in midfield which might suggest why the Ghanaians elected to bypass Nigeria’s midfield with long balls on occasions.
It is really hard to recall off hand several deadly crosses that Chukwueze delivered or when he got into promising positions. But as a team effort, he tried his best. What was expected of him in the way of peppering Ghanaian backline with sweeping leg movements and dangerous runs were near non-existent. But Chukwueze, for all intent and purposes, was not just a passanger tonight.
– Victor Osimhen (5.5/10) had a frustrating night as he could not latch on to the needed wavelength with his team mates but this wasn’t for the want of trying. He got into a number of physical struggles that only left him battered and bruised but it was reassuring every time his picked himself up, dusted himself and simply continued playing.
Long balls were aimed at Osimhen but the Ghanaians were close enough to ensure he didn’t do anything meaningful with these while his team mates weren’t close enough to ward off the attention he was receiving.
With Nigeria soaking much pressure, Osimhen even had to track back to chip in with defensive duties. The sort of service he needed were not forthcoming and he struggled to find his place in the formation and approach laid out by Eguavoen.
Mediocrity should be ur middle name!! They tamed which fans? Open ur eyes dude
Ghana outplayed ur overrated, talentless players and we were tactically supreme on the night!!
Nigeria understandable our men behind the ball in Kumasi in order not to concede but in abuja, egu wlndt have any option but to open up and looking at Ghana’s fluidity in midfield couples with our tactical and technical abilities, we ll get a goal or two in Abuja!!
We ll see the real naija in abuja when they open up!
You be mumu ooo!!.…Ghana will always have fluidity but with nothing to show for it !!..you just had one goal attempt through out the match and you expect to win at Abuja?…hahaha you must drank banku before writing that shit .Now listen , in Abuja , you will open up and sure bet Nigeria will roast your sorry ass of a team .With all your psychological intimidation and what have you , it ended in a draw and you expect to win in our fortress?..just make sure black stars come with their parachute cos they will jump out from the plane up above the sky, at least let start from there to begin with !!
And what has ur Nigeria achieved?
Mumu is a perfect word that describes a dirty,useless bastard like u!
U retarded asshole!!
Lol I thought u said u 2oll win in Kumasi, the way eagles played should not be ur business the only question to u is wat was the scoreline
You didn’t say who created that chance for Simon Moses lol
Thank you for your analysis, let me disagree with u on awarding same mark with Victor, Chukwueze and Moses Simon did not deserve 5.5 at best they can be given 4.
Chukwueze is overrated, he is not exacting himself for Eagles, he plays with “wisdom”
It is not your fault talking like this Ghanaian fans but coach Eguavoen and the entire crew of the Super Eagles. They fumbled once again.
Black Stars did not play anything meaningful in Kumasi but just because it was Nigeria and anything about Nigeria is do or die affairs for the Ghanaians.
Mind you, if you think the second leg in Abuja Nigeria will be like this one on Tuesday, you better have a rethink Ghanaians. You will see better football I promise you all.
However, I have said it that if we have to win the game in Kumasi, coach Eguavoen must ring changes upfront but has expected, he did not do so.
Therefore Nigerians, the match could have easily bn won by us in Baba Yara stadium if coach Eguavoen got his tactics right.
The coaches of the Super Eagles must bench Moses Simon, Chukwueze and Nacho if truly we have to win the match on Tuesday. Bonke did his best and I won’t blame him at all.
Nigeria is a big country that have so many young talented players. Nwobodo and Azubuike would have made more impact against Ghana. Azubuike and Etobo were playing together under Siasia under 20 Afcon and at the Olympic games if am not mistaken and both of the players understands each other too well but to my surprise, Azubuike as fantastic as his doesn’t get a call from coach Eguavoen.
I hope to see you Ghanaian fans on CSN after the Tuesday match lol. Welcome to 60,000 capacity stadium. Do you people think you have home fans? Chai, the pressure will be too much for the black stars their fans to handle on Tuesday. That is assurance.
You have had your opportunity against the Eagles in Kumasi Baba Yara stadium but you failed to make use of it now, it’s Nigeria turn to do what we are known for which is better football and best supporters club in the world. Say good bye to the world cup ticket Ghana. We are waiting for you people in Abuja. God is in control. God bless Nigeria!!!
U deluded dude!! If it wasn’t do and die for NIGERIANS, why did ur fans turned out in ur numbers in ghana?
Stop with ur cheap propaganda and ur inferiority complex and give credit to where credit to due NEGRO!!
Writing these long, meaningless epilogue doesn’t make u smart or intelligent
This shit u wrote over here is bullshit and hollow and doesn’t make any sense apuu!!
Nigeria doesn’t have a home grounds as the abuja fans ll turn on the eagles they concede the first goal and we have prove to that!!
CAR scored u abuja!!
Sierra Leone hold u guys to a draw and countless other episodes and Ghana is not coming to be intimidated in abuja!!!
Nigeria ll open up and judging by how haha dominated this game, we have a goal abuja!
Putting 10 men behind the ball in ghana ll be counterproductive in abuja!
Banku Mad man , how is the day going ?..I hope we have humbled your busy dirty mouth with what we have you guys in Kumasi , rest assured that we will roast your twinkle little stars in Abuja in four days time !!..
Banku man how is the day going
Is going fine dawg!!
We shall know them through their name. @Selfmade KING, I won’t waste my time on you. Tuesday is almost here, time will tell.
You think Black Stars of Ghana is the best team to represent Africa at the world cup then wait until Tuesday now. I hope to see you again on CSN after the match on Tuesday lol.
We will show you and your Black Stars red pepper on Tuesday at the Moshood
Abiola Abuja national stadium. Just be patient ok? God bless Nigeria!!!
U said the same thing that osimehn ll score us in Kumasi
The GLASS EYE was the biggest flop in Kumasi
Get ur heart absorber besides on Tuesday because Ghana ll score in Abuja and don’t tell me I didn’t warned u early!!
Nigeria has no home grounds and u guys has to open up in Abuja and am 100% sure that Ghana will score a goal or two in Abuja unless egu restores to defensive approach like he did today, 10 men behind the balll
But lol u that has home ground u did not win na
Nor be lie God bless Nigeria
Coach And Subs:
– Augustine Eguavoen (5/10) persisted with the same 4-4-2 Formation he used in the Afcon but this time, it morphed into 4-3-3 for long periods in the game with Simon, Osimhen and Iheanacho staying up front with Chukwueze dropping deep to support the midfield Aribo and Bonke.
The beautiful brand of football he was brought in to produce was non-existent and he can be thankful that lack of quality in Ghana’s final third spared Super Eagles blushes. His Super Eagles were reactive rather than proactive and they often struggled to string passes together. They were not imaginative and yet again his midfield looks inadequate.
Eguavoen did not do anything fresh or refreshing. But, he was bold to introduce Lookman and Bassey both of whom didn’t look too much out of sorts. As his first away encounter in a hostile territory in this tenure as interim coach, perhaps one should be mild in criticising him. After all, the Super Eagles created some (few) neat chances, they did contain Ghana for long periods, they made Ghana run out of ideas and made their fans go home largely disappointed.
The Super Eagles pressing football almost yielded a penalty and – most impressively – Nigeria started anticipating and intercepting Ghana’s supply of passes later on with much success.
But on this showing Eguavoen still has a long way to go to convince Nigeria fans of his tactical mastery.
Emmanuel Dennis (5.5/10) knew he had to help Nigeria see out the game so he just didn’t stay up front. He was deligent and busy across the park.
Frank Onyeka’s (5.5/10) fancy foot flim flammery inside the 18 yard box sent 2 Ghanaians on a fishing expedition. Shame his follow on cross failed to find a team mate. Overall, he brought a measure of calmness to the midfield.
Peter Etebo’s (6/10) pressing game and hawk-like approach in the midfield kept the Ghanaians on their toes. He made his presence and experience felt for the period he was on the pitch.
Calvin Bassey (5.5/10) made a number of successful 1 on 1 interceptions that proved he was very ready to roll his sleeves. He came on when Ghana tried to renew pilling on the pressure and he didn’t flinch.
Ademola Lookman (5/10) will definitely have the opportunity to express himself better for longer in Super Eagles colours. But tonight he kept it low key and helped the team maintain its shape to see out the encounter.
I still believe even if Nigeria had won today, they might underate ghana in Abuja in a costly way.
Let them watch the clip of today’s game and see how they can break the Ghana from the middle.
Sure Ghana will want to defense this time and catch us on the counter.
Does Egu ever speak to Moses about his excessive dribbling abi na only fans de see how this guy de lose ball ni and does anyone else think Kelechi and Chukwueze are best utilized as subs?
Truth be told, this Egu guy need to upgrade himself.
Sentiments and corruption will kill Nigeria, what’s iheanacho and chukwueze doing on that field, and the coaching crew had the gut to remove Aribo and Kept ineffective iheanacho and chukwyeze on the field. The young lad Colin Sor would do a better job than iheanacho and chukwueze, the Ghanaian tormentor in chief today is a nineteen yr old boy. Eguaveon shouldn’t repeat same nonsense in Abuja, if will lose to game, he must be ready to face the consequences. Enough said. I ve been telling guys here for yrs Ndidi, Iwobi, iheanacho, chukwueze are over hype players, we need fresh and young players. Thanks to Balogun, Aina, Uzoho and Aribo. Well done Etebo and Onyeka.
Now u know that ur players are overhype and overrated and that the Ghanaian players are more talented than ur eagles
I said here several times that Nigeria is about QUANTITY
Ghana is about QUALITY
Ghanaian players are the most technically gifted players in Africa!!
No disrespect to Nigeria tho!!
Egu ll open up in Abuja and Ghana will have a huge chance to score there!!
Look at this fool !!..Ghanians the must talented , yet they have never won any silver wears since Pharaoh released the Israelites from captivity!!.. Ghanaian are the most over rated team in Africa , no wonders Comoros sent them to the cleaners at Afcon!!..
Watin con consign football with bukuharam now? Mumu talk
This moron as self-destruct you have shifted your attention to Abuja no more your devilish mama yara stadium. The most talented team in Africa my foot. We will speak in a language you will understand on Tuesday after you will disappear from this platform. Most talented team for 50yrs no trophy. Nonsense
“Ndidi, Iwobi, Iheabacho, ChukwuEze” are overhyped players. We need young and fresh legs”?
Some of you will just take a transport from planet Mars to Earth just to comment about football then goes back to habita(Mars). What a baseless and knowledge-difficience lines of sentence
The Black Stars of Ghana is not a meat & drink.
Come tuesday they will reaffirm why they have a better head to head record against the Eagles.
Names and hype do not play football. Go and ask the Italian national team.
How did they how have better head to head record can u explain to us Ghana have no team I thought kumasi is ur deadly gound why you don’t win last night ass licker black star
They have started lamenting again ,why can’t you guys be humble for once ?..you had just one shot on goal through our the match yesterday and yet you think you can get a mirac at Abuja ?..go and eat your Ghanaian banku because that is the best think you can do on that day , Nigeria is already in Qatar!!
U the one ranting like a rabid BOKOM dog lol
The guy wrote his comment and u under his comments talking shit which shows who’s arrogant
Ur BOKOM head like A BLACK canoe on a lake haha
Shut up lol
The rating was delebrate in order to put certain players in a bad light, but what he failed to understand is that many of us watch the game.
Osimhen just keeps falling down like a kindergarten cry cry striker. I was really disappointed in him. We surely need Ighalo and going forward Dessers. I am fed up of this rubbish falling up and down. A disgrace to Nigerian number 9.
Even the younger Afena Gyan gave Balogun and Ekong a run for their money but the ‘foolish’ Osimhen keeps falling down. What a shame. In U 17 was that how you were falling and you scored 10 goals? Grow up and man up to your responsibility. This is not Serie A! If you write rubbish to crucify men then you don’t mean well for Osimhen.
If Osimhen had played in the last Afcon we might not have felt his influence greatly
Match Observation:
Pls coach Eguavoen, how was Osimhen’s pace and air prowess utilized in front of Ghana’s goal?
On one occasion, Moses Simon had the ball on the right wing in the 1st half and behold Osimhen was running in for a pass upfront along side a Ghanian defender, guess what? Simon refused to lay that pass upfront for Osimhen and rather chose to dribble backwards and eventually lost that ball.
Our wingers and Midfielders failed to lay crosses at Ghanian’s 18 for Osimhen or attackers. Why does our wingers lack the ability to release fine crosses from the flanks like that of Victor Moses? The few that came were low (very poor) and were easily nodded away by the Ghanian even without jumping.
Osimhen should also learn to maintain his position as the striker upfront without running around the entire pitch too much.
Osi, as a striker maintain your area upfront always so that your teammates can find u when u do not even expect.
Sorry to Say, what wing did Iheanacho play? He should be benched in the 2nd leg for three midfielders. I said it before the match, Iheanacho will isolate himself off the midfielders and be waiting for the struggling DM&CM to smuggle the ball for him to score, this killed the supply from the middle even in the Tunisia and Ghana match.
Coachie, instruct your midfielders to try to watch their strikers while passing the ball in the Midfield for a possible run in by any of the attackers and quickly cross the ball from the middle. (Watch how Salah plays in Liverpool, they notice his runs and release the ball to him quickly. We have a very pacy striker nah…)
Coach Egu balance your midfield. Aribo is not playing a proper 10 o, pls do you see how Mikel Obi releases clinical passes from midfield to the attackers during his days?(see his pass to Ighalo vs Cameroon).
Be bold to play Amoo as a no 10 or Lookman if need be in the 2nd leg. Or push Aribo to AM with Frank (DM) and Etebo(CM) behind.
Meanwhile, I love Eguavoen’s boldness in playing Dennis, Lookman and Bassey…. If na Rohr, never in this match!
Goodluck Super Eagles! Welldone boys, better and victorious performance in Abuja I wish you!
Shalom!
For Super Eagles to qualify for Qatar 2022 world cup. They have to score a minimum of 2 goals in the first half. Here me, 2 goals at minimum in the first half. The mind set of black stars to the Abuja game will be to try and curtail the eagles in the first half and score a goal in the second half to equalise or to take a lead. If the game is a goalless at 75 minutes eagles will start to fidgeting and black stars might take advantage. I see no reason why we didn’t win yesterday match. No good match is the cause at least the second half could have been where eagles could have make adjustment having study them in the first half.
My dream Eagles for Abuja game is;
1 GK
2. RB OLA AINA but too apologetic and commit stupid errors
3. LB BASSEY for Zaidu is too slow and fidgety
4. CM FRANK ONYENKA SUB 60MINS ETEBO
5. DF RIGHT LEON BALOGUN
6. DF LEFT EKONG
7. RF ADEMOLA LOOKMAN 55MINS SUB EMMANUEL DENNIS
8. SS SODIQ SUB 6OMINS IGHALO
9. S OSHINMEN
10. M. ARIBO SUB 50 MINS AMOO
11. LF. SIMON MOSES SUB 70MINS CHUKWUEZE
Surely we SE will nt make it to WC
My own is that they should just call up Iwobi for the 2nd leg in Abuja. Now that he will be ready to play and combine him with Etebo and Frank Onyeka.
Play Osimhen and Ighalo upfront since Ighalo knows how to hold up the ball for Osimhen to be deadly. While you have the Leicester player playing a free role.
Kudos to the guys, the job is half done already.
For those of you calling out Iheanacho, you guys should come off it.
The coach is to blame. Iheanacho is not a midfielder. He plays better as a supportive striker and we have seen it in club and country even before now. The moment I saw him in midfield, I never expected much.
Know this and have peace.
I expect a midfield trio of Joe Aribo, Frank Onyeka and Etobor Ogenekaro or Akin Amoo in Abuja. If Iheanacho must play, he should be paired up front with Osimhen. I have always trusted Uzoho’s confidence in goal more than Okoye and he didn’t disappoint.
My views
1. I have said it times and times again that iheanacho is usually a big waste for us in games. Even in thebgane against Egypt where he scored go and check his rate of involvement. He is better as a sub depending on the situation in the second half and he must be given specific instructions which he must adhere to. He should not be a starter in eagles. Period. But these coaches can be brainless most times. Rohr was making the same mistake too
2. We are underutilizing Aribo making him to play against the way he plays in his club. This is not wise. He is foreign born. We need to help him play in his rightful position to aid his adaptability to African football. Aribo should take the place of iheanacho. This is simple but eguavon is simply clueless.
3. Can somebody tell me why chukwueze keeps getting a first team shirt. I am just surprised. The same mistake at afcon. In a team where we have Dennis. Chukwueze has become a non performer with eagles these days. He should be benched. Ademola lookman and Dennis are there to take his place.
4. The clueless eguavon should know that he should have used either lookman or Dennis as a surprise or a joker especially when chukwueze has been poor for sometimes. Sometimes, you take some risks. Just like Bonfree took risks with aghanhowa at afcon 2000. Just like keshi took some risks at afcon 2013. But eguavon has shown that he is not a talented Coach. He can only talk on tv and YouTube.
5. To me, shehu Abdullah will do a better job in the midfield than Bonke. Why? He has the experience of playing in big matches. He has also not disappointed the few timee he plays in the midfield for eagles. He is also a player who play strictly according to instructions. My views though. Bonke still have a long way to go. I wouldn’t okay him in a big match like this. In the match against caoe Verde away, it was Kingsley Michael that really played well in the midfield. Bonke made several unnecessary tackles in that match. So it’s either onyeka comes in for him in the next match or taje a risk and give sheu the chance to hold that midfield. He can do it. I believe that.
6. If eguavon dis not play etebo in the midfield in the next match I wl stone him. Etebo, yes has been out for long but he showed in the last match that he is a big player. So please clueless eguavon play etebo. Ghana strength is in the midfield. I am even surprised they were playing long balls. They did not use their strength. That’s how clueless sometimes African coaches can be. They can’t read matches. So poor. But we need to let etebo, onyeka (or shehu) be in that midfield.
7. If Dennis did not strat ahead of chukwueze in the next match, I will personally stone eguavon. Dennis is one of our hottest players in Europe. He is comit back to the team. He wants to prove a point. Presently he is bter than chukwueze. But I wonder why this brainless coach decided to start with chukwueze. An experiment that did him no good at afcon. Please start Dennis he wants to prove a point.
8. I have always said it that usoho is better than okoye. You need to check the performances of usoho for eagles over the years. His confidence in goal is better. Okoye I still growing and adjusting to African football. He is always not confident in goal. The reason he concedes silly goals. But I believe he will become a great goal keeper in the future..
9. The defense. Well, I doff my hat for balogun. Ekong? I pray he does nit make his trademark silly errors in the next match. But as a coach I will retain the two again in the next match. Though I want to think if ajayi. I love what he did in the second match at afcon..but we can still play ekong and balogun in the next match.
10. One thing I like about eguavon in the last match was the fact that he played Dennis (that will calm this talented player), lookman (a debut that’s needed), bassey (another debut that’s needed).
11..On field leadership. I have talked about this sometimes ago. Eagles lack leadership on the field. The type keshi, Mikel, okocha, enyeama, Christian chukwu, amokachi used to give. Some players must step up to do it. Ndidi, oshimen, ekong, balogun… Must step up. Eguavon should help them to do this. A leader takes up the motivation, inspiration and the pep talk in the field when the pressure is high. He also does that with his play. Amakocahi did that at Atlanta 1996. Moses Victor and Mikel did that at afcon 2013. Rasheed yekinini was always doing that. The coaches can bring out the leaders in this team. But will they do it.
In all honesty, Nigeria deserves to be in world cup more than Ghana. That Ghana team kaxks the players quality to do a good job at the world cup. But we have to play the second leg. We have to earn the qualification first.
My line up for the second leg
Uzoho
Aina
Sanusi
Shehu or onyeka
Ekong
Balogun
Dennis
Aribo
Oshimen
Moses (I still retain Moses because he will redeem hus image. He is in top form. But if he fumbles bring in lookman at the early stage of the second half.)
When I saw that starting 11 I was like this is a Nigerian team, very diverse and with a proper goalkeeper. Not a mixed biracial goalkeeper to pretty up Nigeria image just because Nigerians fetishizes mixed people. Black stars came out to fight, they were so aggressive. At the 21 minute Osimhen could of just headed the ball, that’s one of his strengths, he had a bad first touch which gave away the ball. I liked that Uzoho was commanding the defense, you can see him getting angry voicing his concerns around the 26 minute when the goal looked like it went in. You don’t see that with Okoye. Super eagles were not ready for the aggressiveness of the game with so much contact, I saw a lot of people falling down and flailing including Osimhen which he has been doing in Napoli, looking for calls before even trying to finish a play. Awoniyi would of been the perfect person since he is physical and cant be easily pushed over, same is Ighalo. Super eagles couldn’t even complete a pass. Iheanacho is not the main guy at leicester, he is a support to Vardy, he is not a starter and comes off the bench, he didn’t do anything in the game.