Izuchukwu OkosiNigeria Sunday evening exited the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations in Cameroon after a shocking 1-0 defeat to Tunisia.
The Super Eagles were the overwhelming favourites to advance to the quarterfinals of the tournament but found in the Carthage Eagles a side that outwitted them.
Prime Business Africa’s Senior Correspondent IZUCHUKWU OKOSI presents the Players ratings from the disappointing game.
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Maduka Okoye
Made some decent saves but ultimately failed to keep out Youssef Msakni’s shot that culminated in the only goal of the game. His defenders especially Ola Aina could have done better in closing down Youssef Msakni. 6/10.
DEFENDERS
Ola Aina
Was largely at fault for Tunisia’s goal as he failed to close down goalscorer Msakni. He was good going forward but defensively woeful. 4/10.
Zaidu Sanusi
The Porto left back ran down the left channel and contributed to the attacking phase though defensively he was not at his best. 5/10.
Kenneth Omeruo
No second AFCON title for the experienced centre back. Omeruo made some vital interceptions but was guilty of leaving spaces for the Tunisia forwards to exploit. 5/10.
William Troost Ekong
The captain delivered long diagonal balls into the opposition half which were ‘Virgil Van Djirkesquee’ but certainly not one of his better performances. 6/10.
MIDFIELDERS
Wilfred Ndidi
Broke plays intelligently and was Nigeria’s best player for most of the match. Should have been awarded a free kick or two in the second half when a Tunisian player stamped on his foot – and another dragging him off the ball. Poor officiating. 7/10.
Kelechi Iheanacho
The Leicester forward was yellow carded in the first half. He had some great link ups with his teammates but was substituted in the second half. 6/10.
FORWARDS
Moses Simon
The Nantes forward was easily Nigeria’s best player in the tournament in general but on Sunday evening was very predictable. Eguavoen could have played him in a different position as his form in the tournament is there for all to see. 6/10.
Samuel Chukwueze
The Villarreal winger created some chances but sometimes his final balls were underpar. Subbed off. 6/10.
Taiwo Awoniyi
The Union Berlin striker was isolated for most of the time he was on the pitch against the disciplined Tunisian central defenders. Not his best day for the team. 5/10.
SUBSTITUTES
Alex Iwobi
Sent off barely after he came on. 3/10.
Peter Olayinka
Decent showing on the night but his crosses and backheels were not enough to cause issues for the Tunisians. 5/10.
Sadiq Umar
The much maligned striker was the brightest of the substitutes as he had some chances to equalise but missed some glit edged chances. 6/10.
Ahmed Musa
Not enough time to effect any thing positively for the team in what is possibly his last AFCON as revealed by him. N/A.
Izuchukwu Okosi is a Nigerian sports and entertainment journalist with two decades of experience in the media industry having begun his media journey in 2002 as an intern at Mundial Sports International (MSI) and Africa Independent Television (AIT), owners of Daar Communications Plc.
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