Super Eagles player ratings : Iheanacho creator; Simon super-sub; Ekong shines; Ejuke promising

Published: January 19, 2022

Nigeria's Super Eagles finished their Group D campaign in the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations with maximum nine points after their 2-0 win over Guinea-Bissau on Wednesday evening at the Roumde Adjia stadium, Garoua.

Umar Sadiq dispatched the ball into the bottom left corner ten minutes after the restart to open the scoring and William Troost-Ekong doubled the advantage when he tapped in the rebound after Moses Simon's shot came off the woodwork with fifteen minutes left on the clock.

Below is how the players rated in the match.

The Starters

Goalkeeper

Francis Uzoho : The keeper made some good saves though he was lucky to have Semi Ajayi on hand to make a world class block from a Frédéric Mendy effort 6/10.

Defenders

Tyronne Ebuehi: The right-back was targeted in the first half as most of Guinea-Bissau's onslaught came from his position but he improved in the second half. 6/10.

Jamilu Collins : The Paderborn star ran the channels and delivered some fantastic crosses. Good at his primary role surely. 6/10.

William Troost-Ekong: He scored the second goal after Moses Simon's shot rebounded off the bar. 7.5/10.

Semi Ajayi : Produced a world class block in the 73rd minute from a shot that Uzoho parried. He brought the ball out of the back line well. 7/10.

Midfielders and strikers

Wilfred Ndidi : Broke up plays, made great interceptions and tackles at will. World class. 7/10.

Kelechi Nwakali : Played in central midfield, the first time he is starting alongside Ndidi. Laid a glorious pass for Sadiq Umar which the striker failed to capitalize upon. Good impressions as his set pieces are promising. 6/10.

Kelechi Iheanacho : Played behind the striker. Assisted the goal scored by Umar Sadiq in the 56th minute. 7.5/10.

Alex Iwobi : Played better from the middle than when he was deployed as a winger 6/10

Chidera Ejuke : Was one of the impressive Nigerian players in the first half. Talented winger 7/10

Sadiq Umar : Scored after missing some earlier chances. Subbed off immediately. 6/10.

The Substitutes

Moses Simon : Nightmare for the opposition after coming off the bench. 8/10.

Peter Olayinka : Showed some battling performance. 5/10.

Olisa Ndah : Was not nervy on his senior debut Brilliantly recovered the ball when Ekong lost it with a sloppy pass. 5/10.

Frank Onyeka : Was decent in the middle of the park after replacing Nwakali 6.5/10

Henry Onyekuru : Not enough time to be rated. NA

Igho Kingsley