OSIMHEN: Can Anyone Play Better?
Maseru, Lesotho -- Victor Osimhen played an incredible game today with two goals and two assists as Nigeria overcame Lesotho's challenge 4-2 in an African Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier. Osimhen's performance was spectacular and will be difficult to replicate in the future, that much is not arguable. That it was against Lesotho makes little difference. Some of his colleagues could not cope with Lesotho as they encountered a poor field, altitude, and the fact of African football, pressure on the ball and tough tackles. In a game, thoroughly dominated by Osimhen's display, it is time to point to some milestones for the day as well as the rating for each player.
1. Osimhen's two goals were the first and second goals that he has scored in open play for Nigeria.
2. This was Nigeria's most goals in an away game during Gernot Rohr's tenure.
3. Daniel Akpeyi, despite having no blame for the two goals conceded by Nigeria, is having a torrid career in Nigeria's shirt. With two conceded goals today, he is now averaging 1 conceded goal per game i.e. 19 conceded in 19 games for country.
4. Semi Ajayi's yellow card from this game is his first in 11 games for Nigeria.
5. William Ekong captained his 6th game for Nigeria.
6. Ahmed Musa may not have had his best game in Nigeria's colors but he is barely 8 games away from tying at second-place Joseph Yobo's 100 appearances for the country.
Here is the Rating for each Player:
Daniel Akpeyi (16) -- 6.3 -- Akpey rarely had any serious challenge from Lesotho but he stepped up whenever he needed to. Akpeyi cannot be blamed for two goals conceded. In each case, there was no way he could react quicker to save a ball struck from close distance. Yet, he performed an important clearance quick off his line to head off a ball on the edge of the box as danger loomed in the 76th minute.
Chidozie Awaziem (20) -- 6.0 -- At halftime, Awaziem was having one of the best games by a Nigerian defender. It all changed in the second half. He was fortunate to escape a foul and possible disqualification when he pulled back a Lesotho player clear on goal. Then he shot past his own goalkeeper in attempt to clear a ball.
William Ekong (cpt-5) -- 7.5 -- William was Nigeria's best defender on the day. His play from the back was exemplary and he has become very comfortable with the ball at his feet.
Semi Ajayi (6) -- 6.2 -- Semi Ajayi fell asleep, allowing a shorter Lesotho forward to score on a header from a cross in the opening half. Although his game improved, he gave up multiple fouls that appeared unnecessary.
Ola Aina (2) -- 7.0 -- Ola Aina played solidly in a left back position where Collins have been below par most recently. In addition, it was his clever leg over that sent a defender clear off his path before he crossed to assist on Osimhen's first goal.
Wilfred Ndidi (4) -- 6.2 -- This was an up and down display for Ndidi. This was underlined with two quick poor passes as the second half opened but he still found ways to help in the midfield during difficult periods.
Joseph Aribo (10) -- 5.9 -- This was clearly Aribo's worst performance for Nigeria. Too many balls turned over in possession and then several misplaced passes. He, however, improved in the second half before he was eventually hauled off.
Alex Iwobi (18) -- 6.5 -- Alex opened with Nigeria's first goal but his first half was nothing spectacular. In the second half, he improved and was critical to opening up the Lesotho defense much of the second half.
Samuel Chukwueze (11) -- 6.4 -- He had his usual dangerous runs cutting inside from the right.
Victor Osimhen (9) -- 10.0 -- Perfect score! It is hard for anyone to have played better. Yes, he missed a few opportunities but being involved in all of Nigeria's four goals is incredible. He took the first goal where some players may have missed a very sharp cross from Aina. Then in the second, he subtly and cleverly lifted the ball over an onrushing goalie to round up the scores. It will be hard to match this display in the future.
Moses Simon (15) -- 6.2 -- Moses started slowly but he gradually became engaged in the game. Obviously, he has become the set-piece man for Nigeria and his balls have created opportunities that Nigeria has yet to take advantage off. However, that has not been much his fault.
Subs
Ahmed Musa (7) -- 5.9 -- Ahmed Musa was completely off. He turned the ball over much often and had several misplaced passes in his short period on the field. It was one of those errors that eventually led to Lesotho driving towards goal with Awaziem committing a foul (not called) that could have reduced Nigeria to 10 men.
Ramon Azeez (8) -- 6.2 -- Ramon had a solid game in the middle after replacing Aribo and was the assist man on Osimhen's second goal.
Samuel Kalu (17) -- X -- He was surprisingly left off the starting team and was subbed in late. No rating assigned.
1. Osimhen's two goals were the first and second goals that he has scored in open play for Nigeria.
2. This was Nigeria's most goals in an away game during Gernot Rohr's tenure.
3. Daniel Akpeyi, despite having no blame for the two goals conceded by Nigeria, is having a torrid career in Nigeria's shirt. With two conceded goals today, he is now averaging 1 conceded goal per game i.e. 19 conceded in 19 games for country.
4. Semi Ajayi's yellow card from this game is his first in 11 games for Nigeria.
5. William Ekong captained his 6th game for Nigeria.
6. Ahmed Musa may not have had his best game in Nigeria's colors but he is barely 8 games away from tying at second-place Joseph Yobo's 100 appearances for the country.
Here is the Rating for each Player:
Daniel Akpeyi (16) -- 6.3 -- Akpey rarely had any serious challenge from Lesotho but he stepped up whenever he needed to. Akpeyi cannot be blamed for two goals conceded. In each case, there was no way he could react quicker to save a ball struck from close distance. Yet, he performed an important clearance quick off his line to head off a ball on the edge of the box as danger loomed in the 76th minute.
Chidozie Awaziem (20) -- 6.0 -- At halftime, Awaziem was having one of the best games by a Nigerian defender. It all changed in the second half. He was fortunate to escape a foul and possible disqualification when he pulled back a Lesotho player clear on goal. Then he shot past his own goalkeeper in attempt to clear a ball.
William Ekong (cpt-5) -- 7.5 -- William was Nigeria's best defender on the day. His play from the back was exemplary and he has become very comfortable with the ball at his feet.
Semi Ajayi (6) -- 6.2 -- Semi Ajayi fell asleep, allowing a shorter Lesotho forward to score on a header from a cross in the opening half. Although his game improved, he gave up multiple fouls that appeared unnecessary.
Ola Aina (2) -- 7.0 -- Ola Aina played solidly in a left back position where Collins have been below par most recently. In addition, it was his clever leg over that sent a defender clear off his path before he crossed to assist on Osimhen's first goal.
Wilfred Ndidi (4) -- 6.2 -- This was an up and down display for Ndidi. This was underlined with two quick poor passes as the second half opened but he still found ways to help in the midfield during difficult periods.
Joseph Aribo (10) -- 5.9 -- This was clearly Aribo's worst performance for Nigeria. Too many balls turned over in possession and then several misplaced passes. He, however, improved in the second half before he was eventually hauled off.
Alex Iwobi (18) -- 6.5 -- Alex opened with Nigeria's first goal but his first half was nothing spectacular. In the second half, he improved and was critical to opening up the Lesotho defense much of the second half.
Samuel Chukwueze (11) -- 6.4 -- He had his usual dangerous runs cutting inside from the right.
Victor Osimhen (9) -- 10.0 -- Perfect score! It is hard for anyone to have played better. Yes, he missed a few opportunities but being involved in all of Nigeria's four goals is incredible. He took the first goal where some players may have missed a very sharp cross from Aina. Then in the second, he subtly and cleverly lifted the ball over an onrushing goalie to round up the scores. It will be hard to match this display in the future.
Moses Simon (15) -- 6.2 -- Moses started slowly but he gradually became engaged in the game. Obviously, he has become the set-piece man for Nigeria and his balls have created opportunities that Nigeria has yet to take advantage off. However, that has not been much his fault.
Subs
Ahmed Musa (7) -- 5.9 -- Ahmed Musa was completely off. He turned the ball over much often and had several misplaced passes in his short period on the field. It was one of those errors that eventually led to Lesotho driving towards goal with Awaziem committing a foul (not called) that could have reduced Nigeria to 10 men.
Ramon Azeez (8) -- 6.2 -- Ramon had a solid game in the middle after replacing Aribo and was the assist man on Osimhen's second goal.
Samuel Kalu (17) -- X -- He was surprisingly left off the starting team and was subbed in late. No rating assigned.
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