Nigeria Finish Third but It Seems Pointless.....
Egypt -- Odion Ighalo scored his fifth goal to match Rashidi Yekini's Nigerian record set at the 1994 tournament and it was all that was needed for Nigeria to finish third ahead of Tunisia. However, the disappointment of having to appear in this third place game put the damper on the win. Apart from some sparkle early and then late, this game was played under a cloud of inconsequentiality. Although the team rallied to win, it is obvious that a significant number of Nigerians are baying for the Coach to be fired. The Federation has indicated that Coach Rohr will see his contract through December but knowing the fluidity of the Nigerian environment, nothing should be considered certain.
This match, in large part, reflects the angst of the Nigerian public. The inability of the Nigerian team to dominate possession over its opponents was , again, evident. In none of Nigeria's four games, after the group phase, has the team controlled possession. Against Tunisia, the story was the same with Nigeria ceding 54% of possession to the Tunisians just after the hour and it changed little until the very end where it read 58% for Tunisia and 42% for Nigeria.
Nevertheless, the team continued to rack up a significant number of ball winning tackles with both Ndidi, conspicuously cautious with his tackles, and Etebo winning a number of those. Ndidi clearly was not in his elements but yet he had several fouls charged against his name. His tackles have generated debate after his fouls led directly to key goals against the team. Today, he was cautious but his reputation preceded him as the Egyptian referee still charged him for a number of fouls.
The highlight of the game was Coach Rohr introducing two players for the first time in this tournament. Goalkeeper Uzoho, the one-time starter but now relegated to third choice at this tournament, was started. He, however, faced few serious moments from the Tunisians whose tournament performance had been largely forgettable. Nonetheless, Uzoho produced seamless control in mid-air challenges that will likely re-awaken the call for his reinstatement as starter. As for Victor Osimhen, he produced nothing to justify the call by a number of Nigerians for him to be preferred ahead of Ighalo. Nevertheless, Osimhen is a future project. In the here and now, he is a bench player.
Ultimately, the win will record Nigeria as finishing in a credible third place but it surely was a disappointing tournament for what seems to be a majority of Nigerians. This game will do nothing to change that.
Ratings
Francis Uzoho (23) -- 6.2 -- Uzoho was rarely tested but it was clear that he owned the balls in the air in an impressive display of cutting out crosses by Tunisia.
Ola Aina (2) -- 6.8 -- Aina had been benched in the last two games by the recovered Collins but today he got back on the field for the suspended Awaziem. Aina clearly had a very strong tournament and there is an argument to be made on why he should start games.
William Ekong (5) -- 6.2 -- Ekong used his trademark long passes, particularly in the opening half to search out for Ighalo. It is likely, though, that his position would be one of those facing inquiry if Rohr is dismissed.
Kenneth Omeruo (22) -- 7.0 -- All tournament long, except against Cameroon's physical forwards, Omeruo had been one of Nigeria's strongest defenders. Today, he continued to make that case arriving always on the nick of time to save the team from dangerous moments.
Jamilu Collins (3) -- 6.8 -- Although Collins had moments when he appeared to be chasing Khaziri's shadows, he was active going down the lines in attack and in defense. It was his cross that led to the bungling in Tunisia's defense creating the opportunity for Ighalo's goal.
Oghenekaro Etebo (8) -- 6.3 -- Etebo's free kicks today were especially poor. Beyond that, he was quick with his usual twitch that suddenly puts him in front of the attacker and in control of a recovered ball. He was one of the top performers, for Nigeria, at this tournament.
Wilfred Ndidi (4) -- 6.2 -- Ndidi was a bit under the cloud, his enthusiasm mellowed as he attempted a tack of caution with his tackles. It didn't help as he conceded free kicks.
Alex Iwobi (18) -- 6.2 -- Alex was sometimes good bombing forward, the next turning the ball over. Iwobi can be frustrating. So much talent but only able to put it all together in cameos.
Samuel Chukwueze (13) -- 6.1 -- Samu was largely anonymous in the opening half. In the second, he appeared to come alive with a superb shot just past the hour but the coach had already decided that he was headed to the bench.
Odion Ighalo (9) -- 6.3 -- Ighalo won the game and was more involved in build up play in this game than the case in previous ones. However, he limped off with a likely hamstring as the first half came to a close.
Ahmed Musa (7) -- 6.1 -- Ahmed Musa did not look like he wanted to be part of this game. He made multiple poor passes and it was not a surprise when he was hauled off for Moses Simon.
Subs
Victor Osimhen (21) -- 6.1 -- Victor was appearing for the first time at this tournament. It showed as he looked overawed in the beginning and although he improved as the game went on, it is clear that the decision to keep him on the bench, most of the tournament, was a wise one.
Moses Simon (15) -- 6.0 -- Simon made very little impact on this game. Nothing remarkable.
Samuel Kalu (17) -- 6.3 -- Usually, coming in as late as the 89th minute will not warrant any rating but this is different. In his few moments on the field, he produced two exhilarating moments. He first hit a dipping set piece from 25 yards that was headed to the net before the keeper turned it over the bar for a corner. Moments later, he hit another free kick, this time a scorching grounder that the keeper forced beyond the post.
This match, in large part, reflects the angst of the Nigerian public. The inability of the Nigerian team to dominate possession over its opponents was , again, evident. In none of Nigeria's four games, after the group phase, has the team controlled possession. Against Tunisia, the story was the same with Nigeria ceding 54% of possession to the Tunisians just after the hour and it changed little until the very end where it read 58% for Tunisia and 42% for Nigeria.
Nevertheless, the team continued to rack up a significant number of ball winning tackles with both Ndidi, conspicuously cautious with his tackles, and Etebo winning a number of those. Ndidi clearly was not in his elements but yet he had several fouls charged against his name. His tackles have generated debate after his fouls led directly to key goals against the team. Today, he was cautious but his reputation preceded him as the Egyptian referee still charged him for a number of fouls.
The highlight of the game was Coach Rohr introducing two players for the first time in this tournament. Goalkeeper Uzoho, the one-time starter but now relegated to third choice at this tournament, was started. He, however, faced few serious moments from the Tunisians whose tournament performance had been largely forgettable. Nonetheless, Uzoho produced seamless control in mid-air challenges that will likely re-awaken the call for his reinstatement as starter. As for Victor Osimhen, he produced nothing to justify the call by a number of Nigerians for him to be preferred ahead of Ighalo. Nevertheless, Osimhen is a future project. In the here and now, he is a bench player.
Ultimately, the win will record Nigeria as finishing in a credible third place but it surely was a disappointing tournament for what seems to be a majority of Nigerians. This game will do nothing to change that.
Ratings
Francis Uzoho (23) -- 6.2 -- Uzoho was rarely tested but it was clear that he owned the balls in the air in an impressive display of cutting out crosses by Tunisia.
Ola Aina (2) -- 6.8 -- Aina had been benched in the last two games by the recovered Collins but today he got back on the field for the suspended Awaziem. Aina clearly had a very strong tournament and there is an argument to be made on why he should start games.
William Ekong (5) -- 6.2 -- Ekong used his trademark long passes, particularly in the opening half to search out for Ighalo. It is likely, though, that his position would be one of those facing inquiry if Rohr is dismissed.
Kenneth Omeruo (22) -- 7.0 -- All tournament long, except against Cameroon's physical forwards, Omeruo had been one of Nigeria's strongest defenders. Today, he continued to make that case arriving always on the nick of time to save the team from dangerous moments.
Jamilu Collins (3) -- 6.8 -- Although Collins had moments when he appeared to be chasing Khaziri's shadows, he was active going down the lines in attack and in defense. It was his cross that led to the bungling in Tunisia's defense creating the opportunity for Ighalo's goal.
Oghenekaro Etebo (8) -- 6.3 -- Etebo's free kicks today were especially poor. Beyond that, he was quick with his usual twitch that suddenly puts him in front of the attacker and in control of a recovered ball. He was one of the top performers, for Nigeria, at this tournament.
Wilfred Ndidi (4) -- 6.2 -- Ndidi was a bit under the cloud, his enthusiasm mellowed as he attempted a tack of caution with his tackles. It didn't help as he conceded free kicks.
Alex Iwobi (18) -- 6.2 -- Alex was sometimes good bombing forward, the next turning the ball over. Iwobi can be frustrating. So much talent but only able to put it all together in cameos.
Samuel Chukwueze (13) -- 6.1 -- Samu was largely anonymous in the opening half. In the second, he appeared to come alive with a superb shot just past the hour but the coach had already decided that he was headed to the bench.
Odion Ighalo (9) -- 6.3 -- Ighalo won the game and was more involved in build up play in this game than the case in previous ones. However, he limped off with a likely hamstring as the first half came to a close.
Ahmed Musa (7) -- 6.1 -- Ahmed Musa did not look like he wanted to be part of this game. He made multiple poor passes and it was not a surprise when he was hauled off for Moses Simon.
Subs
Victor Osimhen (21) -- 6.1 -- Victor was appearing for the first time at this tournament. It showed as he looked overawed in the beginning and although he improved as the game went on, it is clear that the decision to keep him on the bench, most of the tournament, was a wise one.
Moses Simon (15) -- 6.0 -- Simon made very little impact on this game. Nothing remarkable.
Samuel Kalu (17) -- 6.3 -- Usually, coming in as late as the 89th minute will not warrant any rating but this is different. In his few moments on the field, he produced two exhilarating moments. He first hit a dipping set piece from 25 yards that was headed to the net before the keeper turned it over the bar for a corner. Moments later, he hit another free kick, this time a scorching grounder that the keeper forced beyond the post.
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