The Flying Eagles of Nigeria secured their first three points of the 2023 Under-20 Africa Cup of Nations thanks to a bullet header from Solomon Agbalaka.
Nigeria put up a better performance against hosts Egypt after their disappointing show against Senegal on day one.
Soccernet.ng rates the performance of the Flying Eagles players.
Chijioke Aniagboso 8/10: The Flying Eagles goalie had an excellent game. He made an excellent save that kept Nigeria in the game. He was also superb in aerial situations.
Augustine Njoku 7.3/10: Njoku has a wonderful game in defense. He was very strong and held his own whenever the Egyptians came calling.
Benjamin Fredrick 7.5/10: Fredrick was superb in defense. He held his own and was astute in aerial situations. He was hardly dribbled in the entirety of the game.
Daniel Bameyi 7.7/10: Bameyi had a great game. In fact, his last-ditch tackle late in the game saved Nigeria's blushes. He proved to be a thorough captain, as he always had his teammates on their toes.
Solomon Agbalaka 8.3/10: Agbalaka had a great game. He was astute defensively. He put in a great shift, and he readily bumped forward to support Nigeria's attack. He eventually got the reward for his struggles, as he scored the goal that gave Nigeria their first win of the competition.
Aminu Mohammed 7.5/10: The midfielder gave a good account of himself in midfield. He misplaced a few passes in the first period, but he improved in the second half. He supplied the assist for Agbalaka's goal.
Onuche Ogbelu 7.7/10: Ogbelu was great in the centre of the park. His ball distribution was great and he made some great tackles to recover the ball when the Egyptians came knocking.
Samson Lawal 7.2/10: Lawal was solid. He misplaced a few passes in the first half, but he soon got into the groove in the second period. He held his own when Nigeria was defending their lead.
Rilwanu Sarki 6.7/10: Sarki was decent on the night. He failed to produce much in attack, and some of his crosses were wayward. But he helped out defensively.
Francis Ayuba 6.5/10: Ayuba could have done better. He had a few chances in the first half, but he failed to convert.
Sunday Jude 6/10: He was introduced in the 59th minute, but he did not offer much in attack. Still, he put himself about and helps out in defense.
Olamilekan Adams 6/10: Adams started the first game against Senegal, but he started from the bench against Egypt. He also did not affect the game much in his 30 minutes of play.
Honestly the Flying Eagles are not good at all, no exceptional talents, they are sloppy in fact they were lucky not to have been beaten by the Egyptians u20. If God help they are able to qualify for the World Cup then a lot of them need to step out of the team. Imagine the attack lacked bite. They are so blunt. Pls some thing must be done if the team must do better.
I agree with you only the keeper , Agbalaka, and the captain… the attack and midfield is blunt , stiff and just physical… so surprised all I read during preparation were just glossy . we do not have a team . if we qualify for the world cup them it’s the KEEPER AND MOTHER LUCK… WE DON’T HAVE A TEAM Ladan Bosso cannot pray his way thru..
Ladan bosso and his crew overjoyed his squad members diverted team preparedness with useless allegations and our inexperienced press people followed him wherever he drives them instead of focusing on the teams performances for any flaws anyhow l wish them good luck
I watched the Senegalese game and i was happy at the standard of their skill, accuracy and responses. However i could not wait till end of first half because our team falls below expectation .I believe we have boys who can do better.