The senior national team of Nigeria fell to a 1-2 defeat in the hands of Portugal, a game meant to prepare the host for their forthcoming challenge at the world cup in the USA.
Akor Adams got Nigeria’s lone goal of the game, cancelling out Pedro Nero’s opener before Francisco Conceição scored what ended as the winner for the Portuguese.
We rate the players who featured for Nigeria in the game.
Maduka Okoye – He was literally the reason why the game ended 1-2 and not by a high margin win for Portugal. He made six big saves including two in quick succession. Certainly his best game in a Super Eagles shirt…..9/10
Christian Akpan – Handed a start on the strength of his performance in training, but it wasn’t the kind of debut he will want to remember. At fault in the build up to Portugal’s first goal. Misplaced simple passes and looked jittery all through…….4/10
Bruno Onyemaechi – Started as a left back and ended the game as a centre back. Solid but not spectacular…….7/10
Semi Ajayi – Won all of his duels and largely why Cristiano Ronaldo had a frustrating night. A very good performance from the Hull City man…….. 8/10
Calvin Bassey – Drove the team forward with strong runs without letting his primary job of defending suffer. Unfortunate to end up on the losing side because he didn’t put a foot wrong……..8.5/10
Wilfred Ndidi – A trusted lieutenant of Eric Chelle. He did what was expected of him as a senior player and captain but never truly had the game his way……… 6/10
Fisayo Dele-Bashiru – His major contribution was the assit for the goal scored by Akor Adams. A largely anonymous performance for a player of his standard……. 6/10
Alex Iwobi – The centurion completed more passes than any Nigerian player on the pitch. Always want to be on the ball and capped his 100 cap with a slightly above average performance…… 8/10
Tochukwu Nnadi – Slowly warming his way into the heart of the coach , and was his usual energetic and brave self. Tired out in the second half and should have done better for the second goal conceded by Nigeria…….7/10
Moses Simon – Ensured that Bruno Onyemaechi wasn’t isolated with Trincao. Dropped deep and not until he was subbed off in the second half Portugal found it hard to get going from his position. A disciplined performance…….. 8/10
Akor Adams – Showed his usual fighting spirit and did really well to create the opening for the goal. Tired out in the second half and didn’t do much afterwards……… 8/10.
Substitutes:
Terem Moffi – Got into the act almost immediately and tired to spark the attack to life. However in key moments he failed to provide that quality needed…….. 5/10
Abdullahi Bewene – Immediately slotted into the game and ensured that Joao Felix was kept in check. Confident on the ball, brilliant with his passes and also very athletic. He is here to stay…….8/10
Zaidu Sanusi – Had a night to forget against the country where he has played all his professional football. Was taken off before the final whistle. Looked way off the pace with misplaced passes and poor decisions……..3/10
Frank Onyeka – His introduction brought stability to the midfield of Nigeria but didn’t offer anything going forward………5/10
Samuel Chukwueze – Had what could have been Nigeria’s route to scoring a late leveler but wasn’t sure of what to do when he ran into space. Wasted a perfect counter attack opportunity……… 3/10
Raphael Onyedika, Philip Otele, Paul Onuachu – They didn’t get involved enough to earn a rating.
