Video assistant referee and four other takeaways from Nigeria's 2-0 win vs Guinea-Bissau

1) Umar's Super Eagles Post AFCON Chances

UD Almeria striker Sadiq Umar scored Nigeria's first goal of the game but was immediately subbed off for Peter Olayinka.

Earlier in the game, he was teed up by Kelechi Nwakali but his decision making was utterly terrible and the ball was dispossessed from his feet.

It will be hard for the rangy striker to get first team call-ups after the Nations Cup when the likes of Victor Osimhen, Emmanuel Dennis, Paul Onuachu and perhaps Odion Ighalo will be back in the team.


2) Nwakali Takes His Chances

Still speaking of players who were not part of the squad at least on regular basis but handed the chance on Cameroon, Kelechi Nwakali was one of them.

The former youth international was imperious in the match and set up Sadiq Umar but the latter fluffed the chance. His deliveries from set pieces were absolutely promising.

Nwakali scored a volley in training prior to the match against Sudan and his free kicks are surely potential scoring opportunities for the team.

3) Ejuke Not At His Best

CSKA Moscow winger Chidera Ejuke was mostly ineffective in the  early stages of the match as the Guinea-Bissau defenders doubled up on him ostensibly due to his dribbling skills.

Ejuke lost possessions of the ball in the first half but he was a far better player in the second half as he was in defence to help curb the threats of the opposition attackers down the left flank.


4) VAR Must Be Quicker In Decisions

William Troost-Ekong scored the second goal for Nigeria and it took the video assistant referee close to three minutes to determine if the central defender was offside.

The technology is welcome as it ultimately ensures justice is ensured in the game but it has to be faster than we have seen.

That is the only way that critics would not have a lot to make complaints about it.
    
5) Ekong, Ndidi, Iheanacho Considered The Super Eagles Spine

Interim coach of the Super Eagles Augustine Eguavoen made eight changes to the starting lineup that played against Guinea-Bissau.

The former Eagles right back however kept faith with the trio of William Troost Ekong (c), Wilfred Ndidi and Kelechi Iheanacho who would be considered as the most experienced players in their respective positions.

That clearly showed the coach's thought process: the three players were those he counted on most to deliver. And they did.