The Super Eagles delivered an excellent performance to secure a 2-1 win over Cape Verde in a thoroughly enjoyable game at the Estádio Municipal Adérito Sena in Mindelo.
Nigeria were missing eight UK-based stars, including seven starters from the team that defeated Liberia 2-0 in Lagos on Friday, but still had enough quality to tame the Blue Sharks.
Here’s how the Super Eagles fared against the Cape Verde Islands:
Maduka Okoye, 5.5
The Sparta Rotterdam shot-stopper had very little to do until he picked up the ball from the back of his net following Cape Verde’s opener.
With a surprisingly composed defence in front of him, Okoye didn’t have much to do afterwards.
Abdullahi Shehu, 6.5
The Cyprus-based fullback’s lung-bursting run forward on the overlap created Nigeria’s first sight on goal, but Ahmed Musa’s wasteful finish denied the defender an assist.
But he was nowhere near his area when Tavares race through to put the Blue Sharks ahead.
Kenneth Omeruo, 7.0
The Leganes star savoured his defensive partnership with Awaziem until the hosts broke through to net the opening goal.
Skippered the team brilliantly after Musa was withdrawn.
Chidozie Awaziem, 7.5
Awaziem could have earned Nigeria a penalty midway through the first 45, but the referee didn’t spot an opponent’s blow to Awaziem’s head in the danger area.
He cut out a few dangers at the back and was ever willing to snuff out Cape Verde’s attacks. Very solid performance from the Boavista man.
Jamilu Collins, 8.0
The Paderborn fullback managed to find the right balance between attack and defence, and it was his low cross that led to Osimhen’s equaliser. It was a delight to see him combine beautifully with Ejuke severally.
Innocent Bonke, 7.0
Bonke, on his debut, was asked to step for Wilfred Ndidi, and he didn’t do a bad job at all.
A few firm tackles from the Malmo man in the first few minutes showed the Cape Verdeans that he was a no-nonsense midfielder.
Kingsley Michael, 7.0
Circumstances threw Michael into the Super Eagles starting eleven in a crucial World Cup away fixture, but he didn’t look out of place one bit.
The Bologna midfielder kept his passes simple, his tackles firm, and his positioning spot on for the most part. A bright future awaits.
Ahmed Musa, 6.5
The skipper struck an early shot over the bar and looked overwhelmed by his assigned task of a playmaker.
Musa met a driven Osimhen’s pass with a lame volley early in the second half, and his afternoon didn’t get better from there on.
Chidera Ejuke, 8.5
Ejuke was the liveliest Nigerian player in the first half with his cute dribbles and tricky runs.
He caused a lot of problems on the left flank and was close to his first Super Eagles goal with a fine shot which the opposing goalkeeper acrobatically saved.
Man-of-the-match display from the former Heerenveen star.
Moses Simon, 7.0
The majority of the Super Eagles’ attacks in the opening half-hour came through the Nantes man down the right flank until Ejuke grew into the encounter.
A couple of over-hit crosses here and there watered down his quality display.
He started the second half brightly again but tired out and was replaced.
Victor Osimhen, 8.0
The Napoli man was at the right place to stab home the Super Eagles opener, his first goal in this World Cup qualifying series.
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The eagles midfield was not cohesive no playmaker no one could really hold on to the ball and spray passes , the attack couldn't get the needed passes from the midfield and shehu abdulai's crosses were so uninspiring that one continue to think if this guy is really a professional in the game he was the weak link in that defence kudos to ejuke and jamiu Collins their combination was just too excellent, ejuke was a delight to watch he has pace and very creative this is the kind of player we want to see in super eagles.
Three (3) lapparent observation from this scintillating match in Mindelo:
the pitch looks good but not suitable for entertaining football thus it affected the quality of the game and the abilities of all participating players;
call it any thoughts but nerves played a significant part in Super players’ showing in this game - major culprits are Bonke, Kingsley M, Okoye, Omerua, Shehu and Mussa [who was completely out of that game and how he lasted so long will be a story for another day];
this team showed fighting spirit, determination and they chased down every opposing player with the intent to cause havoc.
Their tenacity and ruggedness should be noted by the mainstream players whom should emulate this mentality by doing so, they will become invincible.
I was thinking that much people would've come out to comment on the result here, just two people commented, i was also thinking if Nigeria have lost the game millions would've come out to blast Rohr and ask NFF to fire him, but it's to heavy for you guys to say congratulations to super eagles, i believe Buhari didn't have anything to do with this and this is not fulani ideas not to be grateful, because success come from grateful mind, disapportiment shouldn't be the point, now you are happy cause Rohr have good second team that won the match for you guys which he was trying to build and everyone was fighting him, to have good team is not a day job it got to do with continuous invitations of news players every time for you to get 30players that are good, the whole world love Nigeria with great value but most guys over there destroying the greatness and the beautiful light that you guys have.
Congratulations to the super eagles of Nigeria,proud to b a Nigerian,God bless Nigeria.Was delighted to see them play with so much passion despite the absence of some of the UK based players,this is how a foot ball national team should be ,there is nothing like playing as a team ,with or without a player we all must play together to win not relying on some particular players untill the job is done ,I love the way these sets of players play , although not 100% but I give it to them,wasn't expecting much but these guys surprised me .The coach as really done a good job by giving us joy at least we have our 6 points already ,smiles . That's the koko .not withstanding,there is still room for improvement.Am quite sure that this situation of restriction for UK based players will arise in the future ,with this display ,no worries for me.i see Nigeria making it to the world Cup with this team .
Up super Eagles of Nigeria!
Congratulations to the super eagles and to the coaching crew
The Cape Verde team is not as great as most people think prior to now..the super eagles at their prime should defeat them with nothing less than 2 unreplied goals even on their home ground.
Congratulations to d team anyway for their lucky win.
Up eagles for a job well done...the coach is also doing great
Good one super Eagles congratulations
Congrats to Nigeria for the victory, a deserved win.
Nobody should accuse the players, a win is a win. The game gave some players opportunities to show what they can do, Osarohr Gernoht.
Great win,great performance from the boys,it may not be eagles best performance but three point is already inside our bags, come on super eaglessssss
Great win,great performance from the boys,it may not be eagles best performance but three point is already inside our bags, come on super eaglessssss