Nigeria Lose First Outing in Year of the Covid

AUSTRIA -- Nigeria began with a loss in its first game of 2020 after being dormant for most of the year due to the Coronavirus. The loss in Austria to Algeria is the team's second straight loss to the North Africans. Tin fairness, this was far from a devastating loss. It was after all an international friendly, far different from the heart brealking late minutes loss to Algeria at the last African Confederations Cup medal round.

Without spectators in the stands, a result of the pandemic, the game had the feeling of a practice session.Nigeria took the opportunity of a non-competitive atmosphere to debut four players including a teenager -- Tijani -- who entered the game with just a few minutes to spare. Tijani ended up recording a low attempt at goal that marked in reality one of the few chances that came Nigeria's way.

The team had some hiccups but it mostly produced a credible outing even with most of its regular midfielders at home. The stand ins did not indicate that they would earn spots over the absentees but in reality very few expected anything different from them. The new guys to watch for, instead including the wide back Sanusi who held his own against Mahrez in the wide area. Sanusi also announced his arrival with notable interception in the first half before locating Onuachu in the box. But it was not just Sanusi that announced a spectacular arrival. The returning Ebuehi started shaky but gradually settled into a remarkable day. This is a player who lost over a year to a serious injury that may have threatened the international career of a player his stature. On the day, however, he reminded Nigerians that his display in the wide areas of the defense and midfield should not be easily forgotten.

In my view, the result mattered little in this game. What mattered was the opportunity to see the team that Nigeria is building and to understand that conquering Africa will not be a piece of cake. A few days time, the expectations will be higher as Nigerians will duly expect a favorable result to keep faith in Rohr's methods.

LINE - UP: 

Maduka Okoye (1) 6.5 -- Had a credible game, although he exhibited difficulties with two crosses - on in each half -- that he should have saved comfortably.

Tyrone Ebuehi (21) 6.4 -- He started shaky but was quite good as the game went on. 

Leon Balogun (6) 6.3 -- Had a very good opening half but faded in the second half. Late in the opening half, he made what has now begun his trademark run to unsettle the opposing defense.

William Troost-Ekong (cpt - 5) --6.0 --Ekong had his usual no frills game although he mishit a ball in the first half that led to a corner kick that was hardly forced by Algeria. Ended up in the referee's book.

Zaidu Sanusi (12) 6.2 -- Zaidu had a good debut and he showed off his speed with an unexpected interception in the opening half that immediately led to a quick Nigerian attack.

Semi Ajayi (13) 6.1 -- Semi had an unremarkable opening half but seemed to settle in as the game wore on. 

Samuel Chukwueze (11) -- 6.4 -- Chukwueze was involved in the opening half but seemed lost afterwards. He suffered several fouls.

Alex Iwobi (18) -- 6.8 -- In my view, the most commanding Nigerian player on the day. He did not give up the ball as had somewhat become his trademark in some games. In addition, he was always available to move the team along.

Samuel Kalu (17) --  6.0 -- This was really a poor game by his own standards. Never stamped any authority at any thing most of the time that he was on.

Frank Onyeka (4) -- 6.0 -- Nothing remarkable in his debut. Hopefully, we will get to see him again but the regulars certainly have little to worry about.

Paul Onuachu (9) --6.2 -- He will get an 'A' for effort and chasing down balls but he had very few support and does not have the individual skills to make things happen on his own and certainly not in the way the team set up.

Substitutes

Agu (10) -- 5.8 -- Nothing remarkable yet again except if you point the dangerous free kick that he conceded soon after he came in.

Moses Simon (15) -- 6.2 -- Simon was the liveliest of the subs that Nigeria brought in.

Kelechi Iheanacho (14) -- 6.0 -- He did little. Poor service contributed to this. However, he came close with a set piece at the whistle.

Akpoguma (25) -- 6.0 -- Conceded a few free kicks but other than that there was little else.

Ahmed Musa (7) -- 6.0 -- Clearly this is Musa's good bye tour. The end is demonstratively near. Then it appears he has added some weight in the wrong spots as well. Goodnight is due.

Tijani (19) -- X -- Not enough time on the field to be graded but in his debut he registered a shot that could have cemented his name in history only if the ball headed the right way.