Watching Nigeria Take Apart Cameroon
After the 0-2 loss to Congo DR a few days ago, few expected Nigeria to comprehensively take Cameroon apart by a 3-0 score. However, one must always view this from the proper perspective. Just as Nigeria was not all bad in the Congo game, one must recognize the Cameroon result as just an international friendly against a team that had been on a decline for a while. Nevertheless, Nigeria's play was well organized and the immense impact of Mikel Obi cannot be overstated and Moses Simon had his best game yet for Nigeria.
The manager, Sunday Oliseh, certainly must be credited with the controlled play of his team and today he is likely basking in smiles in response to his widely criticized invitation of Sylvester Igbonu. Igbonu was extremely important in the middle with his boundless energy and his commitment on both sides of the ball -- when the Eagles had it and when they did not. In fact, a positive in this game was how often the Eagles won challenges against their opponents and tossed the ball around. Then finally, Nigeria scored from a set-piece after a long period http://eaglecity.blogspot.com/2015/06/data-super-eagles-and-set-pieces.html. It was from a foul on the ever-busy Igbonu, Mikel provided the assist and Efe put it away with a header. Here is how I saw the individual play.
Rating= Firsthalf/Secondhalf
Carl Ikeme (5/6): Carl had very little action in this game. However, his full length dive to put the ball into corner in the 55th minute showed a goalie that does not want to take a chance after a shot came off Efe Ambrose and appeared to be going wide.
Abdullahi Shehu (5/6.5): Shehu's first half positioning was suspect in a few plays but he grew in confidence in the second half except for one poor header after an hour of play. I like his speed in closing down an attacker but the jury is still out on him.
Leon Balogun (5/6): Leon rarely won an aerial challenge in spite of his height but his game improved in the second half and twice he cleared in the box in dangerous situations.
Efe Ambrose (6/6.5): Efe had a very good game but nearly conceded an own goal with a dangerous back pass during a moment of poor communication between him and the keeper. Then, of course, he scored Nigeria's opening goal.
Uwa Echiejile (6/6): Uwa was average today. Nothing much about his game but he did provide the assist for Ighalo's goal. It was a rare cross from him on the day.
Ogenyi Onazi (8/6.5): Onazi was spectacular in the opening half but his game fell off slightly afterwards. He still makes some inaccurate passes and then a shocking and dangerous back pass with five minutes left that forced Ikeme to rush into a clearance.
Mikel Obi (8/7): In just over an hour of play, he showed why Nigeria has to depend on him. Mikel is STILL Nigeria's best midfielder. He is the key to Nigeria's midfield play, bar none. When he left, the midfield control dissipated a bit, even with Nigeria having a man advantage.
Sylvester Igbonu (7/7): Igbonu worked his tail off. He is a very active player and with the technique and pace to go along. This was his best game so far for Nigeria.
Ahmed Musa (6/6): His magical long range assist that, perhaps, went 50 yards on the second goal was something to behold. Apart from that, Musa was anonymous for large parts of the game.
Emmanuel Emenike (6/6). His goal drought continues. It is now 0 goals in 19 games for Nigeria! However, he wins set pieces for Nigeria.
Moses Simon (7/7): This is Simon's best game for Nigeria, so far. He provided questions all game for the Cameroon defenders. However, Simon rarely protects the ball and he is easily knocked off the ball. His second goal was well taken after he calmly turned his marker to cleverly strike the ball.
Wilfred Ndidi (0/6): Ndidi was energetic but not impactful.
Ibrahim Rabiu (0/6.5): Rabiu puts the ball about accurately and cleverly. Today, he worked hard to pressure the opponents on the ball. This is an area for which Rabiu rarely gets a mention in the past.
DID NOT RATE
Odion Ighalo
Alex Iwobi
Augustine Oboroakpo
The manager, Sunday Oliseh, certainly must be credited with the controlled play of his team and today he is likely basking in smiles in response to his widely criticized invitation of Sylvester Igbonu. Igbonu was extremely important in the middle with his boundless energy and his commitment on both sides of the ball -- when the Eagles had it and when they did not. In fact, a positive in this game was how often the Eagles won challenges against their opponents and tossed the ball around. Then finally, Nigeria scored from a set-piece after a long period http://eaglecity.blogspot.com/2015/06/data-super-eagles-and-set-pieces.html. It was from a foul on the ever-busy Igbonu, Mikel provided the assist and Efe put it away with a header. Here is how I saw the individual play.
Rating= Firsthalf/Secondhalf
Carl Ikeme (5/6): Carl had very little action in this game. However, his full length dive to put the ball into corner in the 55th minute showed a goalie that does not want to take a chance after a shot came off Efe Ambrose and appeared to be going wide.
Abdullahi Shehu (5/6.5): Shehu's first half positioning was suspect in a few plays but he grew in confidence in the second half except for one poor header after an hour of play. I like his speed in closing down an attacker but the jury is still out on him.
Leon Balogun (5/6): Leon rarely won an aerial challenge in spite of his height but his game improved in the second half and twice he cleared in the box in dangerous situations.
Efe Ambrose (6/6.5): Efe had a very good game but nearly conceded an own goal with a dangerous back pass during a moment of poor communication between him and the keeper. Then, of course, he scored Nigeria's opening goal.
Uwa Echiejile (6/6): Uwa was average today. Nothing much about his game but he did provide the assist for Ighalo's goal. It was a rare cross from him on the day.
Ogenyi Onazi (8/6.5): Onazi was spectacular in the opening half but his game fell off slightly afterwards. He still makes some inaccurate passes and then a shocking and dangerous back pass with five minutes left that forced Ikeme to rush into a clearance.
Mikel Obi (8/7): In just over an hour of play, he showed why Nigeria has to depend on him. Mikel is STILL Nigeria's best midfielder. He is the key to Nigeria's midfield play, bar none. When he left, the midfield control dissipated a bit, even with Nigeria having a man advantage.
Sylvester Igbonu (7/7): Igbonu worked his tail off. He is a very active player and with the technique and pace to go along. This was his best game so far for Nigeria.
Ahmed Musa (6/6): His magical long range assist that, perhaps, went 50 yards on the second goal was something to behold. Apart from that, Musa was anonymous for large parts of the game.
Emmanuel Emenike (6/6). His goal drought continues. It is now 0 goals in 19 games for Nigeria! However, he wins set pieces for Nigeria.
Moses Simon (7/7): This is Simon's best game for Nigeria, so far. He provided questions all game for the Cameroon defenders. However, Simon rarely protects the ball and he is easily knocked off the ball. His second goal was well taken after he calmly turned his marker to cleverly strike the ball.
Wilfred Ndidi (0/6): Ndidi was energetic but not impactful.
Ibrahim Rabiu (0/6.5): Rabiu puts the ball about accurately and cleverly. Today, he worked hard to pressure the opponents on the ball. This is an area for which Rabiu rarely gets a mention in the past.
DID NOT RATE
Odion Ighalo
Alex Iwobi
Augustine Oboroakpo
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