The Super Eagles of Nigeria progressed to the semi final of the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations with a 2-1 win over South Africa in the quarter final of the Africa soccer showpiece taking place in Egypt.
Owngoalnigeria.com rates the players on display for Nigeria in the game which was decided in Nigeria’s favour by goals from Samuel Chukwueze and William Troost-Ekong.
Daniel Akpeyi – Maybe he should have positioned himself better for the goal by South Africa, bar that he was largely untested in the game. Thanks to his defence….. 6/10
Chidozie Awaziem – The unsung hero of the defence of Nigeria at the tournament. Playing out of a position as a right full back since the first game. He shut down all incursions from his flanks and maintain his record as one among two players in the defence of Nigeria who is yet to be dribbled past in this tournament….. 8.5/10
Jamilu Collins – His selection in place of Ola Aina raised concerns but he justified his inclusion with a solid display against Percy Tau. Aside providing balance to the defence he joined the attack when he needed to. Didn’t look like a player playing his first game in what is his debut tournament for the senior national team of Nigeria….. 8.5/10
William Troost-Ekong – Scored the late winner for Nigeria and did his job defensively with less mistakes. His partnership with Omeruo is slowing becoming one of the strengths of this team….. 8.5/10
Kenneth Omeruo – He deserve all of the credit he is getting at the moment with another solid display keeping Mothiba quiet for the entire duration he was on the pitch. Continued his near perfect understanding with Ekong without any flaws….. 8.5/10
Wilfred Ndidi – Solid, brave and dominant in duels. Unlucky to give away the freekick that led to the leveller for South Africa. No doubt he is leading up to his billing as the best player in the Nigerian team….. 8/10
Oghenekaro Etebo – Covered lot of grounds and almost scored with a well hit freekick tipped unto the bar by the goalkeeper of South Africa. Proved his importance once again the the technical set up of coach Gernot Rohr….. 8/10
Alex Iwobi – Drifted in and out of the game but showed his class when on the ball. Completed lots of passes than in previous games and like the rest of the team put in a very tidy shift in defence….. 7.5/10
Ahmed Musa – Tried too hard and disappointed with his final ball. Covered up in defence for Collins brilliantly until his substitution with few minutes left to play. His decision making still remain his greatest undoing….. 7.5 / 10
Samuel Chukwueze (MOTM) – His persistence paid off for the first goal scored by Nigeria and he didn’t disappoint when on the ball. Strike fear into the mind of South Africa with his fearless running at their defence. Deserve the official Man of the Match award he picked up after the game….. 9/10
Odion Ighalo – Didn’t leave up to his rating so far in this tournament as he didn’t have a single shot on target. Known for his positioning but he was twice caught out of position when the ball was whipped into the box….. 7/10
Substitutes:
Moses Simon – Picked up his second assist of the tournament with another pinpoint delivery from a corner kick to hand Nigeria a late win. Brought a raw injection of pace to the left and defended when the team needed him to provide cover late into the game….. 6/10
Leon Balogun – Introduced to help run down time late into the game, he still showed his worth by winning two aerial balls to keep the pressure from the back four…..5/10
