Super Eagles player ratings vs Saudi Arabia: Poor Uzoho, Iheanacho the game changer

Nigeria and Saudi Arabia played a 2-2 draw in an International Friendly game on Friday October 13. See Super Eagles player ratings here.

 FRANCIS UZOHO 4/10:  Poor goalkeeping from Francis Uzoho led to Saudi Arabia’s opening goal. The Omonia Nicosia goalie palmed a Salman Al-Faraj free-kick into his own goal to once again reveal Nigeria’s challenge in the goalkeeping department.

TYRONE EBUEHI 5.5/10: Started at right-back and lasted sixty-five minutes. Not exactly the performance to march his form at Empoli. He will have to do better to get in the squad for the 2023 AFCON.

SEMI AJAYI 7/10: Played in Central defence with Fulham FC defender Calvin Bassey. Semi is always a good passer of the ball, successfully completing 92% of his passes and making excellent tackles to recover the ball. AFCON bound.

CALVIN BASSEY 7/10: Bassey has worked himself into the heart of Nigeria’s defence. Against Saudi Arabia, the Fulham FC defender was solid and looked very comfortable on the ball.

BRUNO ONYEAMACHI 7/10: He gets better with every game. The Boavista left-back had a great game and had a balanced presence at both ends of the field.

WILFRED NDIDI 7/10: Matchday skipper, the Leicester City FC man provided good cover for the defence . Did not offer much offensively like he has done recently for his club.

ALEX IWOBI 7/10: After missing the AFCON qualifier vs Sao Tome and Principe, Alex Iwobi returned for the game vs Saudi Arabia. Was given a reserved role yet still sent in good passes to the attackers.

Ademola Lookman 5/10: Unlike his Man of the match winning performance vs Sao Tome and Principe, Lookman did not have a good game vs Saudi Arabia . Managed few shots and was unseen on several occasions.

Samuel Chukwueze 6/10: One guy who has not been consistent with the Super Eagles. Struggled to take on Saudi Arabian defender’s. Not one of his bet Super Eagles games.

Victor Boniface 6.5/10: Boniface showed promising signs on his first start for Nigeria, as he dropped deep to help his team create chances.

On a day he was named German Bundesliga rookie of the month award winner for September, Boniface was instrumental to Nigeria’s equalizing goal.

Victor Osimhen 6.5/10: Came off early in the second half with Injury. Victor Osimhen did not get many chances as the Green Falcons kept watch of his moves.

SUBSTITUTES 

BRIGHT OSAYI-SAMUEL 6.5/10: The full-back came on with twenty-five minutes to play and looked to be a better option than Ebuehi. His passing was perfect.

Kelechi Iheanacho 7.5/10: The game changer. Kelechi Iheanacho’s introduction changed the Super Eagles performance for good. Just like he did vs Sao Tome and Principe, the Leicester City FC forward was the teams creative spark.

He capped his performance with a sensational strike from outside the box to put Nigeria ahead.

Terem Moffi 6.5/10: The 24-year-old came close to scoring but was denied by superb goalkeeping. The competition for forward spots is tense and will go down the wire.

Moses Simon 6/10: Moses Simon lasted  twenty-four minutes, and was successful with his dribbles on the flanks.

SADIQ UMAR: Had very little time on the pitch to earn a rating.