MKO Abiola Stadium rot and four other observations from Nigeria's 2-1 win over Sierra Leone

There were a couple of observations from the Super Eagles narrow win against Sierra Leone in the first Group A game of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.

Allnigeriasoccer.com presents them.

Ola Aina poor game

The Torino defender had a poor game defensively. He made up for his outing with creating the chance that led to Osimhen’s goal.

It shows that Chidozie Awaziem and Tyrone Ebuehi have to step up - which would help Aina who was a target for the Sierra Leone players.

MKO Abiola Stadium's 'Rot'

The condition of the MKO Abiola stadium barely three months after the 2022 FIFA World Cup playoffs against Ghana was disturbing.

The pitch prevented free flow of the ball and might have conspired to cause Ekong's hamstring injury.

Umar Sadiq Over Cyriel Dessers
 

Umar Sadiq's commitment is never in doubt but his end product as a striker for the national team (not at club level) needs to be better.

Lost possession several times and subbed at half time.

Peseiro's Tactical Flexibility

The new Super Eagles head coach José Peseiro started with a 4-2-2-2 but with the substitution of Umar Sadiq had to revert to one-man attacking formation.

The jury is still out on the Portuguese but the early signs are good.

Never easy anymore

The Super Eagles will not find qualification to the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations easy with the no fear factor in African football.

Ethiopia shocked Egypt with a 2-0 lead same time the Eagles were playing against Sierra Leone.

Izuchukwu Michael

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