The senior national team of Nigeria secured passage into the round of 16 in the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations with a 3-1 win over Sudan in their second game.
OwnGoalNigeria.com rates the players on parade for Nigeria in the encounter
Maduka Okoye – Didn’t have anything serious to do. Was on holiday but did disappoint with some of his balls out of defence. Almost messed up a simple catch but redeemed himself…..6/10
Kenneth Omeruo – Hit some wayward passes but very comfortable under pressure. Has been the surprise in the Nigerian team considering how he came into the team due to the unavailability of Leon Balogun…..6/10
William Troost Ekong – Solid but not spectacular. However this time around he looked very much up for it by matching the pace of the Sudanese forward with ease. A step up from his performance against Egypt…..6/10
Zaidu Sanusi – Didn’t quite impress with his intention to switch play and used the ball poorly. However he was solid defensively including a last ditch tackle to deny Sudan a clear chance at goal…..6.5/10
Ola Aina – Bombed forward with ease. Took his men out as well and linked up nicely with Chukwueze on the right. Unlucky to give away what looks like a soft penalty…..7/10
Wilfred Ndidi – Another monstrous performance from the Leicester City man. Solid in tackle. Assured in possession and covered every blade of grass for the good of the team. Gets this team moving…..7/10
Joe Aribo – Plays majestically as he does the hard things with less effort. The manner which he wins and initiate attack is such a sight to behold. His substitution led to the collapse of the Nigerian midfield. Showing how important he is to the team…..7/10
Kelechi Iheanacho – Dropped deep to get involved and still made his presence in the box felt when he needed to. Got subbed off as a means of giving him a rest from the look of things…..6/10
Taiwo Awoniyi – Had two good chances to get on the score sheet but was unlucky until he got his goal with a predatory instinct of a striker full of confidence. Such a presence in the box…..6/10
Samuel Chukwueze – Didn’t get going early and yet to hit the height expected of him. Took his goal nicely. Got subbed off at the start of the second half with was looked like an injury. Still not at his best…..5/10
Moses Simon – Lively, direct and daring. A constant threat down the left for Nigeria and looks the more likely to make things happen when on the ball. Got an early assist by setting up Chukwueze and got among the scorers early into the second half. An early contender for player of the tournament…..8/10
Substitutes:
Alex Iwobi – Showed clean pairs of heels when needed and almost grabbed an assist. Still not at his best level…..5/10
Kelechi Nwakali – Slowed down the momentum of the Nigerian team and didn’t quite make his mark in the team like Aribo whom he replaced…. 4/10
Ahmed Musa – Brought injection of pace to the attack but did nothing to note to earn a rating.
Sadiq Umar – Wasted a promising move to mount an attack by hitting a wayward shot. Yet to get in on the act.