Izuchukwu OkosiThe hopes of a 2026 FIFA World Cup appearance for Nigeria is under a serious threat after the team coached by Jose Peseiro could only muster two draws from two games against Lesotho and Zimbabwe.
In the last game against the Brave Warriors of Zimbabwe, Kelechi Iheanacho got the goal the Nigerian team looked for but it was not enough as there was no other match winning effort subsequently.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelPrime Business Africa’s Izuchukwu Okosi presents the players ratings from the dour outing.
Goalkeeper: Francis Uzoho
The Apoel Nicosia goalkeeper was beaten by a wonder strike from 30 yards when Walter Musona delivered a free kick that had the ball nestle at the back of the net.
In the game against Lesotho, Uzoho was not to blame for the goal but on Sunday, those worrying gaffes showed up.
Prior to the goal against Zimbabwe, he had parried a weak shot but there was no Brave Warrior in sight to put the ball away on a rebound. 4/10.
Right back: Ola Aina
Nottingham Forest right back Ola Aina was guilty of losing possession of the ball when he attempted to be too cute with playing out of the back with a give-and- go on two occasions. He also commited the foul that led to Zimbabwe’s goal. 3/10.
Left back: Bruno Onyemaechi
The Boavista defender was one of the bright spots in a very underwhelmimg performance by the team. His defending is not exactly where it should be but his attacking impetus down the flanks is promising. 5/10.
Central Defender: Semi Ajayi
The West Brom defender had a torrid time dealing with the nippy Zimbabwe forwards.
However he was disciplined and also was able to bring the ball out of the defence line a couple of time. 6/10.
Central Defender: Calvin Bassey
Was booked in the game for dissent after he committed a foul. Strong in the tackles and was able to foil some goal scoring chances created by the Zimbabweeans. 6.5/10.
Defensive midfielder: Frank Onyeka
The defensive midfielder was not in the best game of his life as he lost the ball on a number of occasions and had his name taken by the referee for a mistimed tackle. Substituted off at half time. 4.5/10.
Central midfielder: Joe Aribo
The Southampton man continues to divide opinions for his regular invitations to the national team. However he was decent on Sunday when he played deep in midfield and even provided the chance for Moses Simon to assist Kelechi Iheanacho. 6/10.
Attacking midfielder: Alex Iwobi
Fulham’s Alex Iwobi was constantly looking for his teammates and was the creative man in central midfield.
Initally he struggled on the artifical turf but managed to find key passes which were not turned into goals. 7/10.
Right sided winger: Nathan Tella
Not the debut Hale End Academy product, Nathan Tella had hoped for.
The former Arsenal player had just one moment of brilliance when he evaded a marker to deliver a cross that was intercepted.
Aside that, he struggled to impress and was replaced at half time by teammate at German Bundesliga side, Bayern Leverkusen, Victor Boniface. 4.5/10.
Left sided winger: Moses Simon
The on-field captain provided the assist for the second half equaliser scored by Kelechi Iheanacho. One of the few bright spots of an otherwise below par performance from the entire team. 7/10.
Striker: Terem Moffi
The on-loan OGC Nice striker scored three goals in 12 league appearances for the Ligue 1 side so far this season but was unable to replicate his scoring form in Nigeria’s 3-2 win against Mozambique in an international friendly on October 16.
Moffi missed a glit edge chance that could perhaps have won the game for Nigeria. 4.5/10.
The Substitutes
Kelechi Iheanacho
The Leicester striker salvaged a draw for the Super Eagles when he came off the subs bench.
The 67th minute goal was the only goal the Eagles could muster which had put the World Cup hopes under serious threat. 7/10.
Victor Boniface
The Bayer Leverkusen star did not score when he came off the substitute bench but added some threat.
Perhaps Peseiro elected to start him from the bench due to game time he needed for a few others, but Boniface could have started the game and then subbed off midway into the second half. 5/10.
Bright Osayi-Samuel
The Turkey based right back was more resourceful than the ineffective Ola Aina. He defended better and was as usual his bursting self going forward. 4.5/10.
Sadiq Umar
One of the Super Eagles players whose invitation and preference over certain in-form youngsters in Europe continues to baffle the Eagles fans.
Did not nothing of note in the 13 minutes that he was on the pitch. 3/10.
Jamilu Collins
Brought late into the game and was soon booked for a foul. 2/10.
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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