Owngoalnigeria.com rates players of the homebase Super Eagles after their 1-0 win over their counterparts from Ivory Coast.
Ezenwa Ikechukwu: A man of the match display from the Sunshine Stars shot stopper,produced two top draw saves and dealt with crosses very well,brave in the box,involved in a nasty clash but soldiered on for the entire duration of the game….8/10
Etim Matthew: Solid display from his right back role but offered little or nothing going forward even when there was no threat coming from the opponent,but a very good tackler with good range of passes….6.5/10
Akas Chima : The captain showed his defensive nous,twice blocking goal bound shots but like his right full back counterpart didn’t offer any sort of width or support to the attack….6.5/10
Jamiu Alimi: A very good reader of the game,one for the future,used his height to great effect and amazingly quick for a man of his height,only blot on his perfect showing was a needless yellow card picked up for a clumsy,nasty lunge into an Ivorien late into the game….7.5/10
Stephen Eze: A faultless display from the towering centre back,spectacular cleared a goal bound effort with a header,won all of his duels and his combo with Alimi is one which might determine how far Nigeria will progress at the CHAN championship….8/10
Onobi Paul: Bustling and energetic all through before he was substituted,always willing to have the ball,a trait which stands him out as a midfielder of repute,played some nice passes too….7/10
Bartholomew Ibenegbu: Mosquito as he is fondly called came close to scoring in the first half but his effort came off the post,other than that lost the ball too often in the middle although he showed his quality with a defence splitting “no look pass but tired out in the second half which lead to his substitution….6.5/10
Ifeanyi Matthew: Man of the match,what a display aside from scoring the game’s only goal the El-Kanemi man was at the heart of every good thing Nigeria did in the game with inch perfect passes,clever dribbles and dummies,a delight to watch….8.5/10
Osas Okoro: Took a while to get going but used his pace to good effect later on in the game although wasteful in the opponent’s half,a display far below his quality and experience….5/10
Bassey Ezekiel: A willing runner,bustling,energetic and daring,a constant threat to the Ivory Coast backline but wasted a clear one on one chance to give Nigeria the lead,that miss reduced his rating….7.5/10
Tunde Adeniji: Had a game he will love to forget in a hurry,provided little option for his forward players and his poor movement saw him starved off possession,only player coach Sunday Oliseh barked out instruction to but still failed to raise his game…..5/10
Substitutes.
Usman Mohammed: A strong substitute who had an immediate impact on the game as soon as he was introduced, Had a stunning run cut short by a foul,might force his way into the starting line up on the strength of his display….6/10
Bature Yaro: Did nothing of note but defended when he ought to,providing cover for his full back….5/10
Uche Onyedikachi: Replaced Tunji Adeniji but didn’t do anything better than the man he replaced….4/10
Salau Ibrahim: A substitute who was brought on but had little effect on the game but steadied the midfield to help Nigeria keep the Ivoriens at bay when they appear to be gaining ascendancy….5.5/10
