Super Eagles player ratings: Osimhen phenomenal; Zaidu unsung hero; Chukwueze disappoints :: All Nigeria Soccer

The Super Eagles fought hard to secure the maximum points as they defeated Sierra Leone 3-2 on Sunday evening to secure their place in the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations slated for next year in Ivory Coast.

Allnigeriasoccer.com runs the rule over the Super Eagles players on parade at the Samuel Kanyon Doe Sports Complex in Monrovia.

 

The starters 

Goalkeeper

 

Adebayo Adeleye: He could have done better for the first goal by making himself bigger, showed some flashes of his good footwork and reflexes. 5.5/10

 

Defenders

Bright Osayi-Samuel: He was not as lively as he was against Guinea-Bissau but was okay till he was substituted. 6.5/10

 

Kenneth Omeruo: He was comfortable with the ball but was also caught napping defensively. Provided the assist for the opening goal of the contest 6/10

 

Semi Ajayi: The West Brom defender was flat-footed, particularly in the first half and made a lot of wrong passes. 5/10 

Zaidu Sanusi: The Porto man was the unsung hero of the win. The highlight of his performance was putting the ball on a plate for Iheanacho to tap-in arguably the easiest goal he has scored in his career. 7/.510

 

Midfielders and strikers

Wilfred Ndidi: He was decent but not spectacular as Nigeria bossed the possession and gave away some cheap fouls. 6/10

Alex Iwobi: He wasn’t as lively as expected and it was his miscue clearance that led Sierra Leone to the equalizer. 5.5/10

 

Joe Aribo:  He showed good vision to find Osimhen for his second goal and was tidy in possession. 6/10

 

Samuel Chukwueze: He was disappointing yet again as he failed to create any chance and fluffed his lines when Osimhen gave him a good pass in the first half. 5/10

Moses Simon: He was more lively than Chukwueze, could have done better with his final balls. Should have converted the big chance that came his way in the first half. 6/10

Victor Osimhen: Another phenomenal performance from the Napoli striker who was heads and shoulders above everyone. He could have recorded more than his two-goal contribution if his teammates had been more clinical. 9/10

 

The substitutes

Kelechi Iheanacho: He showed so much desire when he came on and was in the right place to score the winning goal. 7/10

 

Kevin Akpoguma: He demonstrated his versatility by slotting in as right back I when he came on. 5/10

Taiwo Awoniyi: He came on in the final minutes for Osimhen and could have gotten a goal but his shot was too weak to find the back of the net. 4/10

 

Frank Onyeka: The Brentford midfielder couldn’t offer much when he came on. 5/10

 

Calvin Bassey: He came on very late to be assessed. N/A

 

Abdulkareem Abdulhamid