Nigeria Takes A Step Into AFCON 2019
Nigeria's 3-2 win over Libya in Sfax, Tunisia means that Nigeria is virtually into the 2019 African Cup of Nations finals with just a win to spare. With a home game looming against Seychelles it will take a miracle to deny Nigeria. In fact, Nigeria can get to the final even before that home game.
In Sfax, Nigeria was clearly the better team in the opening half with ball possession that mystified the Libyans for the opening half hour. By the 70th minute, Nigeria had possessed the ball for more than 60% of the game. Although, Libya fought back gamely in the second half as Nigeria sought to protect its early 2-1 lead, Nigeria struck back to win 3-2 after conceding a Libyan equalizer.
Nigeria has to show that it can consistently play as it did in that opening half when Libya was completely outclassed and every Nigerian player was having an excellent day, bar the goalkeeper. The attacking play was especially dangerous with Ighalo presenting monumental problems for Libya and Musa and Iwobi playing really well. It looked then like Nigeria was about to feast on the Libyans until Nigeria took its foot off the domination, allowing the Libyans to feverishly comeback into the game. Until then, all the Libyans could provide was rough house play that threatened to put several players on the injury list.
Ultimately, Nigeria now has to think about wrapping this up in South Africa in the coming weeks. That is definitely possible. That this team has now found scoring much easier than it did a few months ago is testimony to the insertion of Iwobi's vision in the middle, the speed upfront, and the sudden invigoration of Ighalo in this last two games. That, if it is to continue, bodes well for this team not only in the coming qualifier in South Africa but next summer at the AFCON itself.
Below is my rating of the players:
Francis Uzoho (23) -- 6.0 -- He was untested by Libya for more than half hour from the start but looked uncomfortable when called upon thereafter. He gave up more rebounds than a wall does and one of those led to Libya equalizing before Ighalo rescued Nigeria. Fortunately, Libya was not much of danger to Nigeria in the opening half and in the second, Nigeria defended with all its might.
Ola Aina (21) -- 6.5 -- Aina has the talent but sometimes he looks so unsure in this team. Today was another day when his play was not as assured as it should be, although he did have his moments. His weakness in the air nearly cost Nigeria a goal if Ekong did not rush in to concede a corner.
William Ekong (5) --7.0 -- William was the rock in the center defense as always providing a safety net in front of the goalkeeper.
Leon Balogun (6) --7.5 -- Today, Leon showed an improvement over his outing a few days ago in Uyo. He exuded confidence and broke up a few Libyan attacks that came his way. He was the busier center back in this game.
Jamilu Collins (3) -- 7.0 -- There is little doubt that Jamilu has solidified his position as a starter at left back with Idowu now a distant thought. Jamilu is so much assured and is seamless in his play.
Wilfred Ndidi (4) - 7.5 -- Wilfred was as solid as ever, breaking up the attack and his passing much improved.
Oghenekaro Etebo (8) -- 7.2 -- Etebo is clearly the busy bee of the Super Eagles midfield, always around the ball, either winning the ball or distributing. However, on a few occasions late passes almost undid a lot of his good work but he was so dominant in the opening half. Clearly, Etebo is the team's engine room.
Alex Iwobi (18) -- 7.5 -- Alex has brought energy behind the team's attack with his intricate passing. His exchange with Musa for Ighalo's 14th minute goal may be one of Nigeria's best ever goal from open play.
Ahmed Musa (cpt-7) -- 7.5 -- Absolutely fantastic opening half display with his passing, defending and his run. Then his interchange with Iwobi that led to Ighalo scoring was awesome. Also, Musa provided the assist for Ighalo's winner and scored himself from an Ighalo assist after outwitting three Libyan defenders.
Odion Ighalo (9) -- 8.0 -- He provided tireless running at the defense exploring acres of space left by the Libyans. Ighalo was a constant threat especially in the channel down the left in the opening half. His goal in the 14th minute was no less than he deserved and he capped it off with a winner and an assist thereafter.
Samuel Kalu (17) -- 6.2 -- Samuel was inexplicably quiet most of the game, especially in the opening half. This was unlike what we have seen from him in his first three games for Nigeria.
John Ogu (19) -- X - - He was not rated but easily won all his aerial contests and hardly put a foot wrong except for one moment when he lost the ball in a critical spot.
Henry Onyekuru (11) -- X - Not rated. He had a few opportunities that came to nought.
Semi Ajayi (20) -- X -- Not rated.
In Sfax, Nigeria was clearly the better team in the opening half with ball possession that mystified the Libyans for the opening half hour. By the 70th minute, Nigeria had possessed the ball for more than 60% of the game. Although, Libya fought back gamely in the second half as Nigeria sought to protect its early 2-1 lead, Nigeria struck back to win 3-2 after conceding a Libyan equalizer.
Nigeria has to show that it can consistently play as it did in that opening half when Libya was completely outclassed and every Nigerian player was having an excellent day, bar the goalkeeper. The attacking play was especially dangerous with Ighalo presenting monumental problems for Libya and Musa and Iwobi playing really well. It looked then like Nigeria was about to feast on the Libyans until Nigeria took its foot off the domination, allowing the Libyans to feverishly comeback into the game. Until then, all the Libyans could provide was rough house play that threatened to put several players on the injury list.
Ultimately, Nigeria now has to think about wrapping this up in South Africa in the coming weeks. That is definitely possible. That this team has now found scoring much easier than it did a few months ago is testimony to the insertion of Iwobi's vision in the middle, the speed upfront, and the sudden invigoration of Ighalo in this last two games. That, if it is to continue, bodes well for this team not only in the coming qualifier in South Africa but next summer at the AFCON itself.
Below is my rating of the players:
Francis Uzoho (23) -- 6.0 -- He was untested by Libya for more than half hour from the start but looked uncomfortable when called upon thereafter. He gave up more rebounds than a wall does and one of those led to Libya equalizing before Ighalo rescued Nigeria. Fortunately, Libya was not much of danger to Nigeria in the opening half and in the second, Nigeria defended with all its might.
Ola Aina (21) -- 6.5 -- Aina has the talent but sometimes he looks so unsure in this team. Today was another day when his play was not as assured as it should be, although he did have his moments. His weakness in the air nearly cost Nigeria a goal if Ekong did not rush in to concede a corner.
William Ekong (5) --7.0 -- William was the rock in the center defense as always providing a safety net in front of the goalkeeper.
Leon Balogun (6) --7.5 -- Today, Leon showed an improvement over his outing a few days ago in Uyo. He exuded confidence and broke up a few Libyan attacks that came his way. He was the busier center back in this game.
Jamilu Collins (3) -- 7.0 -- There is little doubt that Jamilu has solidified his position as a starter at left back with Idowu now a distant thought. Jamilu is so much assured and is seamless in his play.
Wilfred Ndidi (4) - 7.5 -- Wilfred was as solid as ever, breaking up the attack and his passing much improved.
Oghenekaro Etebo (8) -- 7.2 -- Etebo is clearly the busy bee of the Super Eagles midfield, always around the ball, either winning the ball or distributing. However, on a few occasions late passes almost undid a lot of his good work but he was so dominant in the opening half. Clearly, Etebo is the team's engine room.
Alex Iwobi (18) -- 7.5 -- Alex has brought energy behind the team's attack with his intricate passing. His exchange with Musa for Ighalo's 14th minute goal may be one of Nigeria's best ever goal from open play.
Ahmed Musa (cpt-7) -- 7.5 -- Absolutely fantastic opening half display with his passing, defending and his run. Then his interchange with Iwobi that led to Ighalo scoring was awesome. Also, Musa provided the assist for Ighalo's winner and scored himself from an Ighalo assist after outwitting three Libyan defenders.
Odion Ighalo (9) -- 8.0 -- He provided tireless running at the defense exploring acres of space left by the Libyans. Ighalo was a constant threat especially in the channel down the left in the opening half. His goal in the 14th minute was no less than he deserved and he capped it off with a winner and an assist thereafter.
Samuel Kalu (17) -- 6.2 -- Samuel was inexplicably quiet most of the game, especially in the opening half. This was unlike what we have seen from him in his first three games for Nigeria.
John Ogu (19) -- X - - He was not rated but easily won all his aerial contests and hardly put a foot wrong except for one moment when he lost the ball in a critical spot.
Henry Onyekuru (11) -- X - Not rated. He had a few opportunities that came to nought.
Semi Ajayi (20) -- X -- Not rated.
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