AFCON 2023: Young Scorpions’ sting knocks out Flying Eagles

Nigeria’s Under-20 team, the Flying Eagles we knocked out of the 2023 Under-20 Africa Cup of Nations after their 1-0 loss to Gambia in the semifinal.

Gambia went in front after just seven minutes. But Nigeria managed to find their feet. The Flying Eagles made 21 attempts at goal, but only four were on target. Ahmed Abdullahi had the chance to equalize for Nigeria, but he missed his penalty.

Soccernet rates the performances of the players.

Chijioke Aniagboso 6/10: Nigeria’s shot-stopper had a relatively easy day. Asides from the early goal, he had very little to do.

Daniel Bameyi 5.9/10: Bameyi committed the error that led to Gambia’s goal. However, after that, he had a decent game.

Benjamin Frederick 6/10: Frederick was decent on the night. He had little to do on the night. But the few times he was called to action, he delivered.

Abel Ogwuche 6/10: Ogwuche put up another strong performance. He was off duty for most of the night.

Solomon Agbalaka 6.3/10: Agbalaka did not have much to do defensively. So he spent more time in Gambia’s half trying to produce something for Nigeria. However, his efforts were futile.

Samson Lawal 6/10: Lawal had a decent performance. His work rate in midfield was good. But he did not add much in the final third where it mattered most.

Onuche Ogbelu 6.4/10: It was another strong performance from the 19-year-old midfielder. He was almost everywhere on the pitch. He had a few shots, but they were poor ones and ended in goal kicks for Gambia.

Aminu Mohammed 6/10: Mohammed had a good day in the middle of the park. Still, Nigeria needed one player to step up and help get the equalizer, but Mohammed could not do much.

Rilwanu Sarki 5.8/10: Sarki was hardly creative. His crosses were poor and often ended up in the keepers’ hands. Hus runs were good, but they did not into anything.

Francis Ayuba 5.5/10: Ayuba was poor. He offered nothing in attack. He had a few half chances but he threw them away. A

Ibrahim Muhammad 5.8/10: Just like the other attackers, Muhammad had a bad game. He failed to use his intelligence to create anything in attack.

Sunday Jude 5.9/10: Jude was introduced to help Nigeria get the equalizer. He had a decent show,  but he did not do anything tangible.

Ahmed Abdullahi 5.7/10: Abdullahi was a second-half substitute. He won the penalty for Nigeria after a brilliant run, but he failed to convert.