Super Eagles player ratings: Iwobi, Aina exposed; Nwabali blemish; Ekong hero to zero; Onyeka, Bassey standouts

The Super Eagles lost 2-1 to Ivory Coast in the final of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations played on Sunday night at Stade Stadium of Ebimpé.

Allnigeriasoccer.com runs the rule over the Nigerian players involved in the game.

The starters

Goalkeeper

Stanley Nwabali: He made some good saves in the game but had a fault in the Ivorians' first goal, coming off his line to claim the corner kick when he should have stayed. 5/10

Defenders

Semi Ajayi: There is no fault to be apportioned to the West Brom center-back who just went on with his duties simply. 6.5/10

William Troost-Ekong: Scored a good goal and kept Sébastien Haller in check for most of the game but would lose the latter for the Elephants' winning goal. 5.5/10

Calvin Bassey: He was very good yet again,  always quick to cover for Sanusi, and made a very good block very early on in the first half. 7/10

Midfielders

Ola Aina: It was the most disappointing display of the competition from the Nottingham Forest defender who couldn't cope with the pace and trickery of Simon Adingra  Strange that he completed the game despite his poor performance. 3.5/10

Zaidu Sanusi: It was another poor outing for the Porto left-back, made a huge mistake in the first half and played a part in Ivory Coast's second goal. 4/10

Frank Onyeka: He was industrious as ever as the Super Eagles ceded possession to the Ivorians. 7/10

Alex Iwobi: Had another quiet game by his standard, failing to press effectively and could not influence the game offensively. 3.5/10

Forwards

Ademola Lookman: It was his quietest game in the tournament, failing to cause any trouble for the Ivorian defense though played a hand in the Super Eagles' only goal of the game. 5/10

Victor Osimhen: He was hardworking yet again but couldn't threaten the opposition's defense, no thanks to the way the team was set up.4. 5/10

Samuel Chukwueze: Had a quiet game but played a crucial role in, flicking the ball towards Troost-Ekong's head  4.5/10

The substitutes

Moses Simon: Offered more threat than any other forward, always attempting to beat the man and find his nearest teammate.5.5./10

Alhassan Yusuf: Should have come on earlier but couldn't stop the Ivorians from dominating the game when he was brought on to the pitch. 5/10

Kelechi Iheanacho: The Leicester City forward was lively and was denied from scoring by a vital block from the Ivorian defense. 6/10

Joe Aribo: Wasnt influential when he came on 4/10

Terem Moffi: He couldn't trouble the Ivorian defense when he came on towards the end of the game.4/10

Abdulkareem Abdulhamid

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