Izuchukwu Okosi
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Nigeria defeated pre tournament favourites Egypt 1-0 to kickoff their 2021 Africa Cup of Nations on a promising note despite the poor preparations that characterised the team’s trip to Garoua, Cameroon.
Prime Business Africa’s Senior rates the performance of Austin Eguavoen’s side on Tuesday evening.
Goal : Maduka Okoye
Goalkeeper Okoye had a relatively easy outing against the north Africans but was massive on denying Egypt an equaliser with Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah set to prod home the ball in the penalty box. 6/10.
RB- Ola Aina
Torino right back Aina created a couple of decent chances and produced clearances and blocks at the back line that frustrated the Egyptians. Great performance. 7/10.
LB – Zaidu Sanusi
The Porto left back policed Mohamed Salah all through the game although he received plenty of support from fellow defensive players to srifle the threat of the Liverpool superstar. 6/10.
CB – Kenneth Omeruo
A commanding performance by Kenneth Omeruo that created the move that led to Kelechi Iheanacho’s goal. The center back was resourceful at bringing the ball out of the defence area. He went off injured. 7/10.
CB – William Troost Ekong
The captain on the day had a fantastic display Tuesday evening with timely clearances and long balls into the opposition half. 7/10.
Midfield
Wilfred Ndidi
The Leicester City defensive midfielder broke plays superbly though some of his long passes on the evening left much to be desired. 6/10.
Joe Aribo
The Glasgow Rangers midfielder did not impose himself early on but got better in the game.
The Aston Vila target in tje January transfer window teed up Moses Simon for one of the team’s five chances on the first half. Aribo also assisted Iheanacho’s goal with a header. 7/10.
Kelechi Iheanacho
The Man of the Match scored a brilliant goal in the first half. The strike was his first goal in a competitive tournament for Nigeria. Missed a few chances in the second half. 8/10.
Attack
Moses Simon
Moses Simon was a constant nightmare for the Egyptians. The nippy forward was on a mission to inflict pains on the Egyptians
But for Iheanacho’s goal, he would have been a deserved Man of the Match winner. 7/10.
Samuel Chukwueze
Chukwueze had a, subdued performance on Tuesday and only produced one real moment of magic all through his time on the field. 6/10.
Taiwo Awoniyi
The Union Berlin striker was handed a huge responsibility in the absence of Victor Osimhen, Emmanuel Dennis and Odion Ighalo. He showed promise and was an aerial threat. 6/10.
Substitutes
Sadiq Umar
Brought on to replace Awoniyi in the second half but struggled to make same impact. Will come good hopefully after more trainings and bonding with his relatively new international teammates. 5/10.
Chidera Ejuke
Had a great chance to double the Eagles’ lead in the second half but his shot was saved by Mohamed El Shananawy.
Towards the end of the Match, he went on a counter attacking run but fitrf straight at goal when he could have passed the ball to a well positioned Alex Iwobi.
Semi Ajayi
Came off the bench to replace injured Kenneth Omeruo. Helped shore up an already strong back line. 5/10.
Kelechi Nwakali
The midfielder was brought on to replace Iheanacho. He didn’t have much time to impact the game. 5/10.
Alex Iwobi
Iwobi came on in the 90th minute and instructive headed out for a corner kick a cross by the Egyptians. Mifht have scored Nigeria’s second goal in added time but teammate Ejuke probably denied him that chance. 5/10.
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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