Guinea-Bissau 0-1 Nigeria: Super Eagles player-ratings
Super Eagles limped to a 0-1 win over Wild Dogs Guinea-Bissau on matchday 4 of the Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers. Despite the win, the Eagles were not in their best form as presented by SportsRation in this player-ratings.
FRANCIS UZOHO 6/10
A rare clean sheet for goalkeeper Francis Uzoho who had no real saves to make. Not too comfortable on the ball and almost gave away the ball mid-way through the second half.
KENNETH OMERUO 6/10
Captained the Eagles on his 60th international appearance for Nigeria. Displayed confident leadership qualities as he was always charging his teammates on all through the game. Looked match rusty on some occasions but it was still a good day for Omeruo with the clean sheet.
SEMI AJAYI 6.5
Convincing with his aerial prowess, Ajayi was the perfect complement for Omeruo at the back. Had a header on goal at the other end in the first half but it was comfortably saved by the Guinea-Bissau goalie.
ZAIDU SANUSI 5/10
Not one of his best games for Nigeria. The Djurtus were happy to run at the FC Porto left-back as they searched for an equalizer.
BRIGHT OSAYI-SAMUEL 8.5/10
Another great performance from Osayi-Samuel. Man was charged up to his defensive duties while effectively launching forward to help in attack. One of those moves led to the penalty for the winning goal.
FRANK ONYEKA 6/10
Aside providing sufficient cover for the backline with his well-timed tackles, Onyeka was not sharp enough to lead the transition from defence to attack but had Iwobi to thank for the cover. The Everton man was everywhere.
ALEX IWOBI 7.5
For 70 of the 90 minutes played at the Estadio 24 de September, Iwobi was Nigeria`s most active midfield player. The Everton man was responsible for most of the long and short passes to the attackers plus having to fall back to retrieve the ball and launch the next attack. After the introduction of Joe Aribo, a combination of tiredness and his move to the right side of midfield caused his relatively quiet final minutes in the game.
SAMUEL CHUKWUEZE 4/10
Unsuccessful dribbling attempts, Failing to pass on to a better placed Osimhen instead blazing over the crossbar, Chukwueze endured a difficult evening vs Guinea-Bissau and could be seen remonstrating to the sky maybe for answers to why he could not replicate his Villareal form this season with Nigeria.
MOSES SIMON 6/10
Scored the winning goal but is yet to reproduce the form that made him a favorite for Nigerians at the 2021 AFCON in Cameroon.
TEREM MOFFI 6/10
Worked really hard until his replacement with Joe Aribo. His only mis-timed shot after bursting into the opposition box from the left was uncharacteristic of a confident striker like Moffi.
VICTOR OSIMHEN 6/10
Always made the right movements to break through on goal but his final shot let him down all through the game. For a player banging goals regularly at Napoli, Osimhen was a shadow of his prolific self with just two of his seven attempts on goal testing the goalkeeper. An international window to forget for the 24-year old striker.
SUBSTITUTES
JOE ARIBO 6/10
Replaced Terem Moffi in the 61st minute and almost doubled Nigeria`s lead minutes later but for excellent goalkeeping by Guinea-Bissau`s Mendes who tipped the Southampton Midfielders effort over the crossbar.
WILFRED NDIDI AND AHMED MUSA
Did not see much of the action to justify a rating. Ndidi replaced Samuel Chukwueze in the 81st minute while Ahmed Musa came on for Moses Simon deep into stoppage time to earn a record extending 109th international cap for Nigeria.
THE ULTIMATE
The Ultimate target for the Super Eagles vs Guinea-Bissau was a win to reclaim top spot in Group A of the 2023 AFCON qualifiers. With the 0-1 win, it is mission accomplished for Coach Jose Peseiro and his boys.
