Nigeria Gets Back into Medal Round, Beat South Africa 2-1
Cairo, Egypt -- A late goal by William Ekong, who had received the captain's armband just six minutes earlier, when he hit home a cornerback from substitute Moses Simon put Nigeria through to the semi-final. At last, it seems Gernot Rohr's decision to bring in Moses for Musa worked its magic. Musa was repeatedly getting past his man but his final ball on crosses was either overhit or intercepted. Remarkably, hitting a cross accurately was exactly what substitute Moses did. Although, Simon was fortuitous because the South African goalkeeper Williams had inexplicably missed the cross entirely presenting Ekong with the easiest of goals.
Nigeria had appeared better in the opening half, surprisingly passing the ball better than the South Africans and winning the ball easier than expected in the recovery phase. Importantly, the much vaunted South African team speed was shackled as Nigeria closed down the spaces and Percy Tau was virtually erased. Deservedly, Nigeria went ahead after a magnificent exchange between Musa and Iwobi found Chukwueze whose first attempt at goal was blocked but Chukwueze reacted quickly to score from the rebound with the game just 27 minutes old. Nigeria continued to have the better of the exchanges even though South Africa sprung to life. It could have been two in the 43rd minute when Etebo struck a clever free kick which Williams did well to save against the bar.
In the second half, however, it all changed. South Africa took complete control of the game as Nigeria retreated and began to rely on quick counters using Musa on the left. Musa's pace was scary and he easily and repeatedly beat his man. However, his final ball was sorely lacking. South Africa then scored from a goal that was first denied by the linesman's offsides flag but given after the VAR showed that the ball had come off Ighalo's back before South Africa scored. The goal, in the 70th minute, seemed to signal that the game may go into extra time. South Africa was energized and Nigeria tried to recover with Simon coming in for Musa in the 80th minute. Shortly after, Simon's corner kick and Ekong's goal decided the game. It was Ekong's second international goal for Nigeria and it was critical, assuring Nigeria's first win over South Africa in a decade and advanced the Super Eagles into the AFCON semi-finals.
The ratings
Daniel Akpeyi (16) - 6.0 -- Daniel was barely tested in the opening half and in the second, his defensive front assured that he only had to deal with simple lofts into the box. But, get this, he made no errors.
Chidozie Awaziem (20) -- 6.5 -- Chidozie provided a very strong showing despite being victimized by fouls early in the opening half.
William Ekong (5) -- 6.2 -- Ekong had a solid game as usual without frills and he was the guy to score the goal that sent Nigeria through.
Kenneth Omeruo (22) -- 6.8 -- Omeruo had a magnificent display in the middle. Nothing could get past him today.
Jamilu Collins (3) -- 6.3 -- Collins played well but not as well as he usually does marauding down the left. Today, he stayed home, perhaps on orders to check Percy Tau. Result? He put Tau under lockdown most of the day.
Wilfred Ndidi (4) -- 7.0 -- Wilfred had his usual high-level and high octane performance in the middle winning balls easily and helping set up the attack.
Oghenekaro Etebo (8) -- 6.8 -- Etebo had another excellent game working in the channels to provide an outlet for the Nigerian center backs. In this tournament, Etebo is providing a masterpiece. His 43rd minute free kick was struck very well and it took an incredible save off the bar to prevent a score.
Alex Iwobi (18) -- 7.0 -- If Iwobi is to be Nigeria's top creative player, this game will serve as a good example. He commanded the field and was denied an assist on the first goal when his great pass to Chukwueze was first blocked before Chukwueze reacted to score.
Samuel Chukwueze (13) -- 6.5 -- Chukwueze scored his first ever goal for the senior team today and really turned it on late in the opening half and in the second. Before then, he was largely quiet. This guy, when on his game, is truly scary to defend.
Ahmed Musa (cpt --7) -- 6.8 -- Ahmed Musa was as dangerous as ever, easily getting past his man with bursts of speed and confidence. However, his final product was largely disappointing before he was tactically replaced.
Odion Ighalo (9) -- 6.0 -- Ighalo did force his defenders into cautions. That is his usual game but his first touch on the ball continues to be disappointing.
Subs
Moses Simon (15) -- 6.3 -- Simon provided what Nigeria needed when he came in to replace Ahmed Musa. He had just a few touches but his corner kicks proved vital with one of them leading to the deciding goal.
Leon Balogun (6) -- X -- Leon came in late to help shore up the defense. He was in for just a few minutes and that is not enough to rate.
Nigeria had appeared better in the opening half, surprisingly passing the ball better than the South Africans and winning the ball easier than expected in the recovery phase. Importantly, the much vaunted South African team speed was shackled as Nigeria closed down the spaces and Percy Tau was virtually erased. Deservedly, Nigeria went ahead after a magnificent exchange between Musa and Iwobi found Chukwueze whose first attempt at goal was blocked but Chukwueze reacted quickly to score from the rebound with the game just 27 minutes old. Nigeria continued to have the better of the exchanges even though South Africa sprung to life. It could have been two in the 43rd minute when Etebo struck a clever free kick which Williams did well to save against the bar.
In the second half, however, it all changed. South Africa took complete control of the game as Nigeria retreated and began to rely on quick counters using Musa on the left. Musa's pace was scary and he easily and repeatedly beat his man. However, his final ball was sorely lacking. South Africa then scored from a goal that was first denied by the linesman's offsides flag but given after the VAR showed that the ball had come off Ighalo's back before South Africa scored. The goal, in the 70th minute, seemed to signal that the game may go into extra time. South Africa was energized and Nigeria tried to recover with Simon coming in for Musa in the 80th minute. Shortly after, Simon's corner kick and Ekong's goal decided the game. It was Ekong's second international goal for Nigeria and it was critical, assuring Nigeria's first win over South Africa in a decade and advanced the Super Eagles into the AFCON semi-finals.
The ratings
Daniel Akpeyi (16) - 6.0 -- Daniel was barely tested in the opening half and in the second, his defensive front assured that he only had to deal with simple lofts into the box. But, get this, he made no errors.
Chidozie Awaziem (20) -- 6.5 -- Chidozie provided a very strong showing despite being victimized by fouls early in the opening half.
William Ekong (5) -- 6.2 -- Ekong had a solid game as usual without frills and he was the guy to score the goal that sent Nigeria through.
Kenneth Omeruo (22) -- 6.8 -- Omeruo had a magnificent display in the middle. Nothing could get past him today.
Jamilu Collins (3) -- 6.3 -- Collins played well but not as well as he usually does marauding down the left. Today, he stayed home, perhaps on orders to check Percy Tau. Result? He put Tau under lockdown most of the day.
Wilfred Ndidi (4) -- 7.0 -- Wilfred had his usual high-level and high octane performance in the middle winning balls easily and helping set up the attack.
Oghenekaro Etebo (8) -- 6.8 -- Etebo had another excellent game working in the channels to provide an outlet for the Nigerian center backs. In this tournament, Etebo is providing a masterpiece. His 43rd minute free kick was struck very well and it took an incredible save off the bar to prevent a score.
Alex Iwobi (18) -- 7.0 -- If Iwobi is to be Nigeria's top creative player, this game will serve as a good example. He commanded the field and was denied an assist on the first goal when his great pass to Chukwueze was first blocked before Chukwueze reacted to score.
Samuel Chukwueze (13) -- 6.5 -- Chukwueze scored his first ever goal for the senior team today and really turned it on late in the opening half and in the second. Before then, he was largely quiet. This guy, when on his game, is truly scary to defend.
Ahmed Musa (cpt --7) -- 6.8 -- Ahmed Musa was as dangerous as ever, easily getting past his man with bursts of speed and confidence. However, his final product was largely disappointing before he was tactically replaced.
Odion Ighalo (9) -- 6.0 -- Ighalo did force his defenders into cautions. That is his usual game but his first touch on the ball continues to be disappointing.
Subs
Moses Simon (15) -- 6.3 -- Simon provided what Nigeria needed when he came in to replace Ahmed Musa. He had just a few touches but his corner kicks proved vital with one of them leading to the deciding goal.
Leon Balogun (6) -- X -- Leon came in late to help shore up the defense. He was in for just a few minutes and that is not enough to rate.
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