TheCable

Another friendly and another defeat. However, this latest 1-0 loss to Czech Republic in Austria was an upgrade from Saturday’s loss to England at Wembley.

There was a more counter attacking approach to this game with both John Ogu and Wilfried Ndidi excelling and Mikel more attack-minded than the setting the tempo in the heart of midfield.

Francis Uzoho: Better performance. Although he was not helped by the central defenders and the defensive midfield shield of John Ogu sitting too deep for him to take charge of the box 18, he saved a near-certain goal with his leg and looked generally confident.

Brian Idowu: Another good game for the Russian-born full back. Was again solid defensively but did not provide much width attack-wise. The two occasions he did find himself free in the opposition box he made the wrong decision to shoot rather than pass to an unmarked Ighalo.

Wilfred Ndidi: His importance to this team was evident in this game. Won battles all over the pitch and especially in midfield, with the Eagles’ middle looking more assured. His passing, however, let him down often, but he had a dipping long range belter saved.

William Troost-Ekong: Another subdued performance from the Turkey-based central defender. Looked like he was hiding all game despite Nigeria playing so deep defensively as Ogu was virtually dominant. However, he made his presence felt late in the second half.

Leon Balogun: A solid rock at the back, blocking shots and intercepting passes. He also stepped into midfield and attack like a libero to initiate and add more bodies for attacking moves.

Odion Ighalo: Another good shift from the China-based striker. Had more support from both Moses and Iwobi in this game, and was denied twice by good saves from the Czech keeper. Got his positioning right but was not used by Idowu on two occasions to possibly score tap ins.

John Obi Mikel: Another captain’s display from the former Chelsea man. His distribution was almost flawless, and linked up with both Moses and Iwobi in central areas, and the wing/full backs. The undisputed team leader.

Victor Moses: Better from the Chelsea wing back. Started as a winger but was always cutting into the centre for Idowu to overlap. His dribbling was pleasing to the eye, while he also provided potent crosses. Couldn’t sort his feet when a fortuitous bounce gifted him the ball three yards out. A good shift.

Abdullahi Shehu: Another match and his wing was still targeted. However, he fared better here with crucial blocks and played better defensively, but poor decision making and inaccurate passes marred his game. Substituted at half time.

Alex Iwobi: Another good display to suggest he’d be important to Nigeria’s attacking success in Russia. The Arsenal attacking midfielder was his usual industrious and dribbling self. He looked to support Mikel and Moses more than take the game by the scruff of the neck as he did against England. Kept trying despite looking tired late on.

John Ogu: Showed what Gernot Rohr wants that neither Joel Obi or Ogenyi Onazi could supply in that deep-lying defensive midfield role. Played so deep it was like a three-man central defence, but carried out his defensive duties with aplomb, clearing and mopping up behind Balogun and Trost-Ekong. He almost got on the end of a Moses free kick and should have scored a free header from a Moses corner kick, but lost out to Soucek in the air in the build-up to the Czech’s opener. Should prove useful in Russia.

Tyronne Ebuehi: Another good outing from the ADO den Haag full back who was camped in the opposition half most times and did his defensive duties without much fuss.

Simon Nwankwo: The Crotone forward and most recent addition to the Super Eagles family was full of battling energy and running but was not afforded a shooting chance in his 20-minute cameo.

Ahmed Musa: Another anonymous cameo for the speedy winger. Did not see much of the ball and barely got involved in play, neither did he make any successful linkage. Was caught offside late on.

Kelechi Iheanacho: Although entered with little time to make an impact, his substitute performance was littered with poor crosses and kicks.