Izuchukwu OkosiThe group stage of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations for Group A was rounded off on Monday evening with Nigeria’s Super Eagles finishing in second place behind Equatorial Guinea.
Both teams had seven points but the Eagles have inferior goal difference.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelPrime Business Africa’s Izuchukwu Okosi presents the players’ Scorecard from the 1-0 win over Guinea Bissau.
Goalkeeper: Stanley Nwabali
The Chippa United goalkeeper was rarely troubled by the opponents aside a shot on goal from the edge of the box.
He conceded what turned out to be an ‘offside goal’ in the second half anyway. 5/10.
RWB: Ola Aina
Ola Aina started out in the unconventional left back position but ended the game in the right wing back role for the Nigeria side.
Solid defensively and also created a chance for Victor Osimhen which the striker failed to convert the chance. 6/10.
Bright Osayi-Samuel
The defender played in the right back role but was also able to progress with the ball and join the attack when the team were in the attacking phase of the their play. 7/10.
Calvin Bassey
The left back cum central defender was part of the three central defenders that executed the game along with Kenneth Omeruo and Semi Ajayi.
Bassey defended stoutly and also played in some fantastic balls into the opposition area, one of such latched onto by Osimhen, but his header from that effort went wide.
Was never dribbled past by the Guinean forwards. 7/10.
Semi Ajayi
Guilty of losing the ball at critical times in the game.
The West Brom player had Stanley Nwabali to thank for saving his blushes when a terrible back pass was almost intercepted by a marauding Guinean forward. 5.5/10.
Kenneth Omeruo
One of the two members of the 2013 AFCON winning side left in the team along with Ahmed Musa, Omeruo captained the Eagles on the day.
Omeruo’s performance was impeccable as a defender with age not seemingly telling on him. 6.5/10.
Frank Onyeka
The defensive midfielder asserted himself in the game and aside from yellow card that he picked up in the course of the game was solid.
The Brentford player was subbed off in the second half after a battling performance. 7/10.
Joe Aribo
Aribo had an average performance. Aside from one successful dribble, he struggled to impress against the Guinea Bissau side. 5/10.
Moses Simon
Guilty of losing possession most times when he attempts to dribble past his opponents. He was however the one player whose cross ultimately culminated in the own goal.
The Super Eagles rounded up their group-stage games in the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations with a 1-0 win over Guinea-Bissau on Monday evening. 7/10.
Samuel Chukwueze
The AC Milan winger continues to disappoint Nigerian fans. Clearly very passionate and creative, Chukwueze can create a ‘scoring chance this moment but become a liability the next moment.
However on a passionate note, she delivered a cross which Osimhen did not pounce. 6/10
Victor Osimhen
Missed a couple of chances mostly from the aerial balls. Has not really established himself on the tournament.
Handled the ball just before the goal scored by Zaidu Sanusi was chalked off.
Worked hard and galvanised his teammates from the front. 6.5/10.
The Substitutes
Raphael Onyedika: The defensive midfielder was not so impressive on his major appearance. 4.5/10.
Alex Iwobi
Came in the second half to create spaces and unleash that killer passes to the likes of Osimhen. Iwobi not as effective as he was against Cote d’Ivoire. 5/10.
Ademola Lookman
Called upon from the subs but not much added up in that sense. 3/10
Zaidu Sanusi
Scored a goal but it was chalked off because of a hand ball in the build up. 5/10.
Chidozie Awaziem
Cannot be rated. He was introduced deep into the added time.
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