Three hits and three flops from Super Eagles first victory against Black Stars in 18 years 

For the first time in eighteen years, Nigeria defeated fierce rivals Ghana in an international match, thanks to goals from Cyriel Dessers and Ademola Lookman.

The win will undoubtedly give the Super Eagles a confidence boost as they gear up for the next game against Mali as well as the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers scheduled to begin in June.

However, individual performances, both impressive and concerning, deserve a closer look.

Allnigeriasoccer.com analyzes three hits and three flops from the mouthwatering derby encounter in Morocco:

Hits:

Stanley Nwabali:

Nwabali stood tall between the sticks for Nigeria, proving to be an impenetrable wall against a persistent Ghanaian attack.

His outstanding performance, characterized by solidity and reliability, was instrumental in securing the all-important victory for the Super Eagles.

Alex Iwobi:

In the heart of midfield, Iwobi was a driving force for Nigeria. His creative spark and energetic presence were key in propelling Nigeria's attacking momentum throughout the match.

He played a crucial role in dictating the tempo and creating goal-scoring opportunities for his teammates whilst getting the eventual assist for the second goal.

Cyriel Dessers:

Dessers was a constant thorn in the side of the Ghanaian defense. Not only did he find the net with a crucial goal, but his movement and pace kept the Ghanaian backline on their toes throughout the game.

He was a menace upfront, creating problems for the opposition and contributing significantly to Nigeria's attacking threat.

Flops:

Jamilu Collins:

Introduced as a substitute, Collins' defensive performance left a lot to be desired. He failed to effectively contain the Ghanaian attack, and his struggles were evident in the buildup to Ghana's goal.

His inability to adapt after coming on raises concerns about his defensive capabilities in pressure situations.

Bright Osayi-Samuel:

Osayi-Samuel gifted Ghana a lifeline in the second half with a careless challenge that resulted in a penalty.

This costly error could have had more severe consequences if not for Nigeria's resilience in holding on to their lead.

His unnecessary foul tarnished an otherwise decent performance and highlighted a lapse in concentration at a critical moment in the match.

Moses Simon:

Brought on as a substitute for the impressive Dessers, Moses Simon failed to replicate the same level of attacking threat.

His introduction seemed to stall Nigeria's attacking momentum, and he was unable to make a significant impact on the game.

The Super Eagles lacked their earlier attacking spark after he entered the field. 

Ejim Kaycee

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