The Super Eagles are the first side to win all three group games at the Africa Cup of Nations after they beat Guinea-Bissau 2-0.
Augustine Eguavoen made eight changes from the team that beat Sudan on Saturday, but it was an excellent performance, as their quality showed over the Wild dogs of Guinea-Bissau.
Soccernet gives the ratings of some of these players according to their performances.
Francis Uzoho, 7/10: Uzoho replaced Maduka in between the sticks, and he was quite outstanding. The Guinea-Bissauans had some good chances, but the Omonia man was at hand to parry them away.
Semi Ajayi, 7.5: Ajayi had an excellent performance, he fitted into the central defence seamlessly, and his clearances were timely. He also gave the Guinea-Bissauans a tough time going past him by using his strength to bully them.
The West Brom man also used his aerial ability to help the Super Eagles attack, but he was unable to hit the target.
William Troost-Ekong, 8.5/10: The Watford man had a rough time at his club before the AFCON, but he has risen from all that. Captain Troost-Ekong had another outstanding night, he was solid on the night, and his evening was brought to a climax when he scored the second goal of the game.
However, some of his passes were poor.
Jamilu Collins, 7/10: Collins had a solid night. The Paderborn man had some good attacking runs, but his crossing was poor on the night. At times, he was caught off guard, but he always recovered fast and returned to snuff out the attacks on his wing.
Tyrone Ebuehi, 7/10: The Venezia man had a decent outing on his first start. He put up a good performance, but at times he struggled with the pace of the Guinea-Bissau attackers. He also did not offer much in attack.
Alex Iwobi, 6/10: Iwobi had a good game, he started his first game of the tournament, but he failed to produce much upfront. He did not even do better than Chukwueze, who he replaced on the right.
Nevertheless, his touches were good, and his passing was okay. But he did not provide much bite in attack.
Wilfred Ndidi 7.5/10: The Leicester City man continues to prove why he is the most expensive midfielder in Africa. He was a rock in midfield, controlling the tempo and breaking down every attack that came by. His passing was also on point, and he adjusted seamlessly to his new partner in midfield, Nwakali.
Kelechi Nwakali, 7/10: The former Arsenal man made his full debut for the Super Eagles, and he was outstanding. He and Ndidi had a good midfield partnership. Nwakali showed his ability to tread long passes, and if not for Umar’s profligacy, Nigeria could have had a goal from one of his passes.
Chidera Ejuke, 5.5/10: Ejuke failed to exert himself in the game. A gifted dribbler he is, but he was unable to create any big chance for Nigeria. He failed to attack the Guinea-Bissau defence, and most times, he returned the ball to Jamilu Collins instead of pressing forward.
Sadiq Umar, 7/10: The Almeria striker was handed his full debut for the Super Eagles. In the opening minutes of the game, he struggled to handle the ball whenever it was at his feet. But he put himself about in the Guinea-Bissau defence.
Umar could have scored in the first half, but he missed the chance due to his poor decision making.
However, he redeemed himself with his second-half strike, which gave Nigeria the lead.
Kelechi Iheanacho 6.5/10: Iheanacho had a good game. He was good in attack, linking the midfield and attack. However, he struggled to form a good partnership with Umar. But his night was given a boost after his audacious assist for Umar’s goal.
Substitutes
Moses Simon, 8/10: once again, Moses parted another defence just like the biblical Moses parted the Red Sea. His introduction to the game just proved his importance to the team. He was outstanding, his dribbling left Guinea-Bissau in tatters, and his effort caused the second goal.
Peter Olayinka, 6/10: the Slavia Prague man got his first minutes of the tournament, and he looked very sharp. Olayinka was always ready to run and always available to receive the ball. He could have gotten an assist late in the game, but for Simon’s wayward shot.
Worst Rating. Mr writer are you sure you watch the match?
Thanks for the ratings. Well done. However, I think some ratings are exaggerated. For example, see the rating for Nwakali below
Kelechi Nwakali, 7/10: The former Arsenal man made his full debut for the Super Eagles, and he was outstanding.
This can’t be the match I watched. He was less than impressive, not creative at all in the midfield and that was his primary function. Aribo’s quality above his is just so glaring.
what was the reaction of this match