TheCable

The Super Eagles of Nigeria won the West African derby against Guinea, requiring a 73rd-minute header from Kenneth Omeruo who stood head and shoulders above everyone in defence, and had his moment of glory in the attack.

The Super Eagles team that came out against Guinea was filled with battle-ready gladiators. Relative to our player ratings on the match between Nigeria and Burundi, some players have continue to stand out, while some others have fallen below expectations.

Based on both matches, the Super Eagles can continue to count on Ola Aina and Wilfred Ndidi to give sterling performances. Here’s how everyone fared in the last match:

Gernot Rohr 

The 65-year old coach dropped his captain to the bench, locked down his defence with the help of two defensive-minded midfielders- Ndidi and Etebo- who sat deep, while he started with two out-and-out wingers in Ahmed Musa and Moses Simon. Smart tactical awareness from the Burkina Faso coach who succeeded in stifling his opponents while also offering a variety of attacking threats. His decision to drop Troost-Ekong for Balogun proved inspiring, with Balogun and Omeruo forging a better relationship with top-notch communication.

Daniel Akpeyi: The jittery stopper looked to give himself shots of confidence early in the game by taking his time on routine saves. Otherwise, was not worked by a toothless Guinea who only offered feeble threats from distance.

Ola Aina: Worked hard up and down the left flank all game and had a long-range strike saved. Thwarted attacks down his flank and stretched the play with supporting runs for Musa. Confident display to match his performance in the first game.

Chigozie Awaziem: Put in a solid shift performance, especially on the defensive front, proving a worthy replacement for Shehu Abdullahi. Stopped Guinean attacks in its track but offered little going forward. He, however, flashed a header wide at the far post from a corner kick.

Kenneth Omeruo: Colossal in defence and proved a worthy match-winner. Snuffed out Guinean attacks that threatened through his flank and ensured Balogun had a quiet re-introduction by giving little away for him to mop up. Evaded a dreadful zonal marking to score the winner with a glancing header. Man of the Match.

Leon Balogun: A quiet return for the Germany-born Brighton Eagle. Had less to do alongside a domineering Omeruo, but did mop up behind his partner His recovery to stop Sory Kaba from getting on the end of a brilliant defence-splitting pass was the highlight of his day in office.

Wilfred Ndidi: A colossus in midfield. Exemplified by battling three players and coming out with the ball in the first half. Alongside Etebo, worked the Guinean midfielders to submission with a combative display.

Oghenekaro Etebo: Slowed the Guineans down in the middle with his combative style. A bullish performance which matched Liverpool’s Naby Keita, leading to the midfielder being taken off due to weariness from several knocks received. Had a decent free kick from 20 yards punched away by the goalkeeper. An improved and solid display.

Alex Iwobi: Slow in thought and action. Given the freedom of attacking in the central areas but did little even though he still delivered some moments of brilliance Missed an early chance to shoot from five yards and also dallied on the ball when a cross to an unmarked Ighalo should have given Eagles the lead. Had a brilliant curling shot saved but was withdrawn minutes after the winning goal as Rohr sought a different approach towards the end of the game.

Moses Simon: Dangerous and could have done more in his first game of the tournament. Created two clear-cut chances but also blazed wide in the first half, while he was slow to thinking after beating his marker to find himself in acres of space. Supported Awaziem effectively in defence, tired as the second half wore on but still had enough in his tank to deliver the assist for Omeruo’s winning goal.

Ahmed Musa: The captain looked dangerous throughout, was largely ineffective in the first and improved in the second period. He created a chance early in the first half but was largely thwarted by poor passes and ineffective positioning. The Saudi Arabia-based winger, however, sparked a dominant 12-minute period for the Eagles in the second period from a counter attack, and his colleagues got the cue, delivering the winning goal in that period.

Odion Ighalo: Quiet day in office, and below average. Failed to control Musa’s cutback with a gaping goal to aim for from 3 yards, and selfishly denied his captain a tap-in, going for glory instead of passing. Still displayed attributes of a lone striker, putting the Guinea defence on its toes for the duration of his stay on the field, holding up play and drawing fouls.

Substitutes

Samuel Chukwueze: Replaced Iwobi but had little influence on the game.

Paul Onuachu: Came on in the 88th minutes for Ighalo to wind down the clock as Nigeria looked to see out the win.

Samuel Kalu: A time-wasting substitution right before full time. His introduction was also to intimate Nigerians that he has recovered after collapsing in Egypt last week.

Against the next match when Nigeria takes on Madagascar, Rohr knows the players who have been consistent and those who have seasonal displays.

Going into the match, which is not a deal breaker, the Eagles may remain shy on many goals, but if there is any match to score more goals, it will be the next one.