The Nigeria U20 team showed their superiority of their counterparts from Qatar with a thumping 4-0 win to get their campaign at the ongoing Poland 2019 U20 World Youth Championship off to a flying start.
Owngoalnigeria.com rates the players on display for Nigeria in the game.
Olawale Oremade : The shot stopper was virtually on holiday for the entire duration of the game but came up big when he needed to for the team. Showed a lot of composure in claiming aerial balls….. 7/10
Muhammed Zulkifilu : Held onto his job as a right full back with solid defending including a spectacular double block to deny Qatar a way back into the game with scores at 2-0. Joined the attack with conviction….. 8/10
Ikouwem Udoh Utin – Man of the Match with two assists from his left full back role. The Maccabi Haifa bound defender was also solid in reading and intercepting play….. 8.5/10
Aliu Salawudeen – Scored his goal with the instinct of a striker but did showed some nerves while in possession. Looks suspect and unless he improves Igho Ogbu will claim back the role….. 7/10
Valentine Ozornwafor – Calm and very assured in possession. Reads and intercept plays with ease. Picked up a needless booking but overall had a solid game….. 7.5/10
Jamil Muhammed – Covered lot of grounds but his final ball let him down severally. Didn’t do enough to screen the back four properly same way he didn’t provide options for the forward players….. 6/10
Tom Dele-Bashiru – Showed class with every touch he had. Timed his run to perfection to finish off a brilliant pass from Kingsley Michael with his side foot. England will no doubt push to have him back if he continue playing this way….. 8/10
Kingsley Michael – A level above the other players. Set up Dele-Bashiru with a lovely disguise pass and his willingness to always get on the ball troubled Qatar all through the duration of the game…..8/10
Maxwell Effiom – Opened scoring for Nigeria with a smart finish but went missing afterwards. Did put in a shift defensively but he didn’t influence the game like many would have expected base on how he started it….. 7/10
Henry Offia – Took his goal with ease and used his strength to good effect in duels. Should have scored a brace but surprisingly missed sitter with the goalkeeper at his mercy. Need to work on his composure in the box….. 7.5/10
Tijjani Muhammed – Looked lost till he was substituted. Chased down almost every ball that came his way but didn’t quite make use of them in the end. Didn’t cover himself in glory with his performance….. 6.5/10
Substitutes :
Jerome Akor – His telling contribution was the headed assist to Salawudeen for Nigeria’s fourth goal. Did get involved as well….. 6/10
Nnamdi Ofoborh – Didn’t adjust to the rhythm of the game for the time he was on….. 5/10
Success Makanjuola – Showed quick feet twice to evade his markers and also delivered a telling freekick into the box with precision. He however didn’t have the time to show why he is so highly rated….. 5.5/10
