Portugal vs. Nigeria: Super Eagles player ratings after Lisbon humbling – Dennis flops, Lookman caged

The Super Eagles were at the receiving end of a Portuguese punishment on Thursday after falling to a 4-0 defeat to a Cristiano Ronaldo-less Selecao.

Below is how the Super Eagles players rated in the encounter:

Goalkeeper: Francis Okoye – 4.0

The Omonia Nicosia shot-stopper made a fine save in the second half after a deflection, but that was as good as it got for the Super Eagles goalie. He shipped four goals and will likely not sleep well tonight.

Defenders

Bright Osayi-Samuel – 5
Despite Nigeria’s heavy loss, Osayi-Samuel can still be proud of his performance in his first-ever outing for the Super Eagles.

Though he conceded the penalty that led to Portugal’s second goal, the Fenerbahce full-back, however, won a penalty for Nigeria in the second half. Put in a decent shift, and Peseiro may have finally found a good alternative to Ola Aina.

William Troost-Ekong – 3.5
It was not a fine evening for the Watford defender, and he did little to shield his goalkeeper from facing so many shots.

His partnership with Akpoguma needs a lot of hard work to work out.

Kevin Akpoguma – 4
The Hoffenheim wing-back deputised at centre-back, and he would have liked for a different outcome. There was no understanding between him and Ekong, but Akpoguma covered well for Calvin Bassey.

Calvin Bassey – 3
An atrocious display from the Ajax Amsterdam defender.

Bassey offered little going forward and he could have even done a lot better in defence.

Lost the ball quite a full time and there was barely any moment he combined with Moses Simon to trouble the Portuguese right flank.

Midfielders

Wilfred Ndidi – 3.5
The Leicester City man was evidently not back to his peak yet as he struggled to come to grasp with the marauding movement of Bernardo Silva and Bruno Fernandes in the first half. He was replaced at the break.

Alex Iwobi – 3.5
The Everton playmaker offered industry and energy but little in the way of creativity. The Portuguese midfield did not help his cause, though, as they held on to the lion’s share of the possession, forcing Okocha’s nephew to chase the ball rather than do magic with it.

Joe Aribo – 3
A poor outing for the Southampton man. Aribo never stopped running and hustling the Portuguese defenders, but his primary role of linking play with the attack was much subdued.

Attackers

Moses Simon – 3
Simon has had better days with the Super Eagles, and it was a shame that he lasted on the pitch for as long as he did.

Ademola Lookman – 3
Lookman was hooked at the break as he was a shadow of the exciting, goalscoring forward Atalanta fans have witnessed every week in Serie A.

Terem Moffi – 3.5
The Lorient man defended from the front, pressed the Portuguese defenders hard, and was decent with the ball the few times he had it.

Substitutes

Emmanuel Dennis – 2.5
The Nottingham Forest man only came on after the break, but he will have to make do with the flop-of-the-match tag.

Against the instruction of head coach Jose Peseiro and the protests from a couple of other teammates, Dennis stubbornly took the penalty won by Osayi-Samuel and missed.

Portugal went up the pitch moments later to net their third goal of the evening.

Not a class act from the Nigerian forward.

Frank Onyeka – 3.5
Stepped in well for Ndidi after his introduction.

Samuel Chukwueze – 3
The Villarreal winger had a chance to get Nigeria on the scoresheet, but goalkeeper Rui Patricio denied him from a one-on-one.

Paul Onuachu – (NA)
No supplies from the flanks for him to work with.

Oghenekaro Etebo – (NA)
Received a yellow card for his roles after he came off the bench.