Four Things Noted From Nigeria Players' 2018-2019 Season Performances

Allnigeriasoccer.com's Izuchukwu Okosi examines some of the takeaways from the performances of Nigerian players from the goal to attack in the 2018/2019 season which are winding up across Europe.


1. Uzoho's struggles

Super Eagles first choice goalkeeper Francis Uzoho has had a season to forget for Cypriot side Anorthosis

Uzoho's performance this season has been poor, playing in just three matches and conceding four goals, not a good report for a supposed first choice goalkeeper of a national team like Nigeria.

Super Eagles head coach Gernot Rohr repeatedly sent his goalkeeping coaches for personal trainings with Uzoho, a  gesture not extended to some other players amid criticisms.

On current form, Uzoho does not deserve a place in the Super Eagles AFCON squad.

Rohr needs to trust other goalkeepers while still showing support and encouragement to Uzoho.

2. Central defenders edge full backs

The duo of Kenneth Omeruo (Leganes) and William Troost-Ekong (Udinese) have particularly impressed for their clubs this season with 26 and 33 appearances so far played in the league.

They are Nigeria's best central defenders in Europe.

For Ekong, his defensive stats read thus: one tackle per game, 1.2 interceptions, 0.8 fouls and 5.2 clearances.

Omeruo has fared slightly better in all the defensive duties.

Omeruo leads his compatriot in the tackles and interceptions with 1.8 and 1.4 respectively.

The defender on loan from Chelsea has committed less fouls on an average of 0.6 per game and 5.8 clearances. He has averaged 0.4% of blocks per game so far and has had 0.3% successful dribbles.

The duo have fared better than Leon Balogun and are clearly the best central defensive partnership for the Eagles

The full backs haven't done as well as the central defenders but Ola Aina put in a great shift for  Serie A side Torino.


3. Good Campaigns For Eagles Midfielders

The midfielders fared well but the quartet of Oghenekaro Etebo, Wilfred Ndidi, Semi Ajayi and John Obi Mikel were magnificent.

Etebo was recently voted Stoke City's Player of the Year in his first season in England playing in the Championship that is very difficult. Semi Ajayi won the gong as Rotherham United's best player for March.

Wilfred Ndidi again had a good season for ninth placed Leicester City just like last season albeit his ability seem underrated. Not as good as N'golo Kante but has so more to offer.

Ndidi was thrice handed the Man of the Match awards in 37 Premier League matches in which he played 3,299 minutes.

Mikel has not played for the Nigerian national team since the end of the 2018 World Cup. The Eagles captain signed for Championship side Middlesbrough from Chinese Super League side Tiajin Teda but ultimately their push for promotion didn't pay dividends. Mikel's experience helped the team's cause but Boro only ended up as the best of the rest in the second tier of English club football.


4. Promising Future For Eagles Attack, AFCON selection headache for Rhor

The Super Eagles attack is one of the most lethal based on the form of the players this season with one or two more matches left to play in some leagues in the current campaign.

Victor Osimhen has notched up 16 goals in 31 league matches for Sporting Charleroi in the Belgian Pro Division.

Odion Ighalo has scored seven goals in nine matches for Shanghai Shenshua in the Chinese Super League.

With 13 goals in 29 matches for Turkish giants Galatasary, Henry Onyekuru continues his impressive loan stints from English Premier League side Everton.

Still in Turkey Anthony Nwakaeme has so far scored 10 goals in 25 matches for Trabzonspor.

Stephen Odey scored nine goals in 29 league matches for FC Zurich and was promising in the club's Europa League campaign.

Paul Onuachu has scored 17 league goals in 30 matches for Danish side FC Midttjjyland and is unarguably Nigeria's hottest striker heading to the 2019  AFCON.

Touted to be the next big striker to emerge for Nigeria but Crotone's relegation to the Serie B has apparently not helped Simmy Nwankwo's rating and chances to be a mainstay in the Super Eagles. Still, his season has been fantastic. He has scored 14 goals in 33 Serie B matches.

Choosing the eventual attackers to make the Super Eagles squad for the Africa Cup of Nations will be a tough job for Rohr

Izuchukwu Okosi