The U17 team of Nigeria started their campaign at the FIFA U17 World Cup with a comeback 4-2 win over Hungary in their first game of the tournament yesterday.
Owngoalnigeria.com rates the players on display for Nigeria in the game that saw them win with a brace from captain Samson Tijani and two other goals from Usman Ibrahim and Oluwatimilehin Adeniyi.
Daniel Jinadu – He wasn’t tested all through the game even though he conceded twice. Could do nothing about both goals as he was left badly exposed by his defenders….. 5/10
Oluwatimilehin Adeniyi – Took his goal really well and the manner which he joined the attack at will also caught the eyes. Played like a modern right back and when the Nigerian team where chasing the game he made himself readily available for passes with smart positioning in the opponent’s half….. 7 / 10
Charles Etim – Joined the attack brilliantly but his final ball let him down. Appears too eager to shot when a pass would have been better. In defending he looked all over the place but just like the rest of the team he played better in the second half……6/10
Ferdinand Ikenna – The longest serving player in the back four of the Nigerian team. This is his fifth tournament with this team in 18 months but the rough edges in his game are still very visible. Got his positioning wrong for both goals. Beaten easily by his man on several occasions. He however impressed in how he played the ball out of the back…..6 / 10
Usman Ibrahim – Not the tallest but scored with a well placed header. Played with his heart on his sleeve as he was not scared of going into tackles and putting his body where it hurts. Very confident on the ball….. 7 / 10
Samson Tijani (MOTM) – Voted as Man of the Match (MOTM). Got a brace to help steer the team to victory. His reading and interception of play helped the team build momentum from the back. He however need to add more accuracy to his shooting which was wayward all through the game…… 7. 5/10
Hamzat Ojediran – Ran his socks off for the team and covered lot of grounds. However he did all of that at the expense of the shape of the team. Played as a central midfielder he left the midfield wide open with his decision to drift to the wings and was no where to be found when Hungary launch attack….. 5/10
Mosuru Opeyemi – Played just behind the main striker and surprisingly didn’t live up to his high ratings as seen in the team’s friendly games before yesterday’s game. Got his positioning and passes wrong. He obviously has the ability to do better…..6/10
Olakunle Olusegun – The talisman of the team didn’t play badly. He however fail to get into goal scoring position as he was forced to play deep due to lack of service. Played better when he was moved to the role of top striker following the substitution of Wisdom Ubani…..6/10
Ibrahim Sa’id – He was played due to his ability to use his pace and also track back to help out in defence. His pace didn’t trouble Hungary as expected but defensively particularly in the second half he was really solid but that came at the expense of his main task in the attack…...6/10
Wisdom Ubani – Not quite fit after a two month battle with injuries and fitness. Didn’t play to his level. The team got better when he was withdrawn. Looked a shadow of the forward that terrorized defences at will at the Africa U17 Cup of Nations….. 4/10
Substitutes:
Akinkunmi Amoo – His introduction sparked life into the Nigerian team. Dribbles and also has an eye to pick passes. On the strength of his display he should start on Tuesday against Ecuador….. 7/ 10
Ibraheem Jabaar – Ran at his markers with ease. Bagged an assist with a weighted cross to Adeniyi for Nigeria’s second goal of the game. He proved he is still at same level he operated at the Africa U17 Cup of Nations….. 6 / 10
Daniel Francis – Didn’t do enough to warrant a rating. He was introduced to run down the clock.
