The Super Eagles of Nigeria will take on Morocco in the semi final of the Africa Cup of Nations on Wednesday after seeing off Algeria with an emphatic 2-0 win in the quarter final.
Morocco were also victorious in that round beating Cameroon 2-0, setting the stage for what many expect to be a cracking game in Rabat. Both teams are seen as favourite for the title.
Heading into the tournament some Nigerian players divided opinions among fans and followers, but all that appears to have change in this to tournament, largely due to the diamond formation preferred by head coach Eric Chelle.
OwnGoalNigeria.com picks the five players who are experiencing a career all time high at the ongoing AFCON.
Alex Iwobi – The livewire of the team. So far he has played 47 line breaking passes more than any other player in the tournament. To think that he was the scapegoat after the defeat in the final of the last AFCON and now that he is seen as untouchable by the same fans speaks volume of the kind of tournament he is having.
He has never been this good at a tournament in the Super Eagles colours.
Wilfred Ndidi – If the attack is the heartbeat of the Nigerian team at the AFCON, then the midfield is that thing which makes the heart beat. Anchored by captain Wilfred Ndidi alongside Iwobi. The duo have been by far the best midfield combo in the tournament.
Wearing the captain’s armband he will be sorely missed in the semi final. A sign of how influential he has become after so many underwhelming performances at major tournaments for Nigeria.
Super Eagles had their best AFCON tournament in his absence last time out , but in this edition he has so far been one of the best in the team.
Bruno Onyemaechi – He didn’t play a single minute at the last AFCON under former coach Jose Peseiro. So poor was Bruno in the eyes of the coach that an injured Zaidu Sanusi was preferred ahead of him.
Started off the tournament as back up to the FC Porto man once again, but since coming in against Tunisia he hasn’t drop off a bit. The diamond formation has also help his ability going forward which resulted in his well weighted cross for Victor Osimhen for the opening goal against Algeria.
Bright Osayi-Samuel – What a tournament he is having. No longer seen as the weak link in the team. Since the game against Tunisia where he was badly exposed he has by far been the best player since the commencement of the knock out round.
Semi Ajayi – As good as Calvin Bassey has been , Ajayi has also been equally good but he goes about his job strongly without getting noticed. A man of the match award in the first game against Tanzania set him on course for what is his best ever tournament for Nigeria.
Mohammed Mowiz Suleiman
