Nigeria lost their last warm up game before the start of the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations 0-1 to Senegal, a game played at the training base of the Super Eagles of Nigeria.
Owngoalnigeria.com picks the players who distinguished themselves during the game and those that did otherwise during the game on Sunday.
Leicester City midfielder Wilfred Ndidi will easily pass as the man of the match in the game as his combination with captain John Obi Mikel in the midfield frustrated Senegal in the middle particularly in the second half, same can’t be said about Alex Iwobi who had a below par game.
Iwobi’s replacement Moses Simon gave the Eagles a more direct approach with his fearless run at the defence of Senegal and on the strength of his performance, he ranks among the tops in the game.
Jamilu Collins didn’t cover himself in glory playing as a wing back and not until Ola Aina was introduced in his place, the Super Eagles played without width no thanks to the fact that he was tucking in instead of playing wide off the right of the defence of Senegal.
Samuel Chukwueze had a game to remember as he took the game to Senegalese and completed more dribbles than any other player on the bench, shortly before he was substituted he beat the goalkeeper with a well placed effort but a last ditch tackle prevented him from drawing Nigeria level.
John Ogu struggled as a central defender in a back five and was replaced by Oghenekaro Etebo who almost level scores for Nigeria with a well whipped free kick which came off the bar. Etebo showed his eagerness to reclaim his starting shirt.
William Troost-Ekong has rose to the position of one of the leaders in the Super Eagles and against Senegal the Udinese stopper was brilliant in duels both in aerial duels and tackles. His defensive partner Kenneth Omeruo didn’t do too bad but played a role in the goal scored by Senegal.
As usual Samuel Kalu was full of running and but lacked the final ball to set the forward through on goal. The times the ball dropped for the top striker Odion Ighalo, the forward fail to make it count, hence make the list of flops in the game.
Tops.
1. Wilfred Ndidi
2. John Obi Mikel
3. Ola Aina
4. William Troost-Ekong
5. Samuel Chukwueze
6. Moses Simon
7. Samuel Kalu
Flops:
1. Jamilu Collins
2. Odion Ighalo
3. John Ogu
4. Alex Iwobi
5. Kenneth Omeruo
