TheCable

The Super Eagles of Nigeria qualified for next year’s AFCON before they kicked a ball at the Charles de Gaulle stadium in Porto Novo on Saturday but it did not stop Gernot Rohr’s men from taking the encounter serious.

Taking a boat ride to face their West African neighbours, Nigeria ensured they showed their supremacy with a last-minute Paul Onuachu goal that drowned the Squirrels in their backyard.

Though several players’ performance was hindered by the pitch’s quality, TheCable looks at whether their class shone through in this big brother victory.

Okoye (7/10): A good show in his quest to retain the number one jersey but his distribution could be better. Sharp save from a header but lack of communication with his captain nearly gifted Benin Republic a goal. He also took some risky decisions that could be damning another day.

Aina (5/10): Unspectacular. Offered next-to-nothing going forward but did just enough in defence. Taken off for Awaziem late in the second half.

Sanusi (6.5/10): Supported Onyekuru on the wing, went on attacking runs and was solid defensively. Although he blazed wide from the rebound of Osimhen’s shot that hit the post and ran out of gas late on, this was an excellent outing.

William Troost-Ekong (5/10): Poor first half clearance and poor communication with his goalkeeper gave Benin rare opportunities. Hit a number of long balls with nobody getting on the end of it.

Leon Balogun (7/10): A captain’s performance, but also delivered inaccurate long balls like his defensive partner. The Scottish Premier League winner at Rangers started the late-game rush, taking the ball in his stride into attack, supporting the offensive players as a libero and the eventuality of a winning goal.

Wilfred Ndidi (6/10): Anchored the midfield without breaking much sweat. Had a hand in the winning goal by redirecting the corner kick into the danger area for Osimhen to assist Onuachu.

Joseph Aribo (5/10): Was surprised by an early opportunity that he headed wide. Passing particularly not so good, understandably due to the pitch but he improved in the second half and played it simple.

Samuel Chukwueze (5/10): Not much play on his wing during the first half but it was the reverse in the second period. He went pass some Benin players and skied a shot when simple placement should have sufficed.

Henry Onyekuru (6/10): A replacement for Iwobi, the on-form Galatasaray winger was industrious on his Eagles return. The 23-year-old put a chance on the plate for Iheanacho but he was double-marked in the second period and also ran out of steam.

Victor Osimhen (7.5/10): Man of the match. A true striker whose goals would come. Led the line with or without service. Bullied defenders, got shots away, and hit the post with a striker’s hard, low shot. Reacted quickest to Ndidi’s header to put the ball on a platter for Onuachu to break Benin hearts.

Kelechi Iheanacho (5/10): A good day at work for the redeemed player. The Leicester man had a snapshot from distance that didnt trouble the goalkeeper and was also denied by a last-ditch block. Nice touches here and there but the pitched hindered the self-styled ‘senior man kels.’

Substitutes

Paul Onuachu (7/10):  The lanky forward meant business in his 20-minute appearance capped off with a goal. Contested every ball and sharp instinct coupled with excellent movement meant he got the winning goal.

Anayo Iwuala (6/10): Energetic cameo. Came on with ten minutes left and rekindled the threat from the flank that had worn out after Onyekuru’s exertions. Flashed a shot wide in the dying minutes.

Chidozie Awaziem (N/A): Came on for Aina and had little to do as the Beninoise had withdrawn into their half to try and preserve a point.