The senior national team of Nigeria started their campaign at the Africa Cup of Nations by playing a 1-1 draw against Equatorial Guinea with Victor Osimhen rescuing them from a potential defeat.
OwnGoalNigeria.com rates the players on show for Nigeria in the game.
Stanley Nwabali – Didn’t have anything meaningful to do in the first half but showed remarkable composure and controlled his area properly when needed. Could do nothing about the goal he conceded…….6/10
Ola Aina – Very adventurous. He didn’t show enough discipline in defence leaving Ekong with a lot of work to do. Forced the goalkeeper of Equatorial Guinea into a good save in the second half….. 6/10
Zaidu Sanusi – Strong in duels and link up play at both ends. Unlucky not to get on the score sheet with a late bounce taking a cross across goal away from him. In the second half he missed a chance that he could easily have converted to put Super Eagles 2-1 up…… 5/10
William Troost-Ekong – Defended strongly and showed a desire to get stuck in when needed….. 5/10
Semi Ajayi – Had a lot to do in the first half with Nigeria playing with a high line. Always there when needed although didn’t quite inspire confidence however it didn’t prove costly…. 5/10
Frank Onyeka – Went missing in the first half partly why there was so much pressure on Iwobi and Yusuf in the first half. A surprise that he lasted the entire duration his only meaningful contribution was the flick on to Lookman to set up Osimhen for the equaliser….. 5/10
Alex Iwobi – Was at fault for the goal conceded by Nigeria. A major dent on what was an eventful first half for him. Went missing in the second 45 minutes…… 5/10
Alhassan Yusuf – Had a debut to remember as he was the best player for Nigeria for the period that he was on the pitch. Didn’t look out of place and the technical crew will be sweating over the injury that led to his substitution ahead of the game against Ivory Coast….. 7/10
Moses Simon – Lively in the first half but found the second half very difficult to navigate through despite moving to his favorite left side. Got subbed off as Nigeria chased a win….. 5.5/10
Ademola Lookman – He came alive with a man of the match performance in a big game for the senior national team of Nigeria. Quite unlucky not to get on the score sheet. His peach of a cross set up Osimhen for the leveller….. 7.5/10
Victor Osimhen – Drew Nigeria level with a powerful header. However can be faulted for the stalemate on the part of Nigeria. Missed four big chances including a clear one on one chance in the second half. Unforgivable miss that was ….. 6/10.
Substitutes:
Samuel Chukwueze – Thrice wasted good chances to make something happen for Nigeria in the closing stages of the game….. 4/10.
No any other substitute did enough to warrant a rating.
Mohammed Mowiz Suleiman
