Onuachu Delivers Again But There are Concerns in 3-0 Win over Lesotho

Lagos -- Paul Onuachu delivered a second goal in as many games after being left out of the substantive invitation lists for the African Cup of Nations qualifiers. His goal against Lesotho, today in Lagos, was one of three notched by Nigeria in a game where there are concerns. Nigeria had qualified for the AFCON before this game against Lesotho  but Lesotho had also been eliminated. With both teams essentially playing a pressure-less game, it was no more than a glorified international friendly in Lagos. However, a catalog of errors by Nigeria ensured that there are concerns from a game that Nigeria was always destined to win by a mile.

The first half was frightful. There were loads of misplaced passes, surprisingly poor and few chances created by the Nigerians. Tyrone Ebuehi, one of the few bright spots on the team, delivered an outstanding performance in a game where few of his team mates did little to impress. Nigeria dominated territorially with Ebuehi and Sanusi presenting the width down the flanks but the final passes were either absent or delivered poorly when it was needed. In reality, it was not shocking that no goal had been scored after 20 minutes of play before an expectant Lagos crowd. It took a clever pass over 20 yards to pry open the visitors' defense for the opening goal. Kelechi Iheanacho drifted to the right and he delivered a high exquisite pass into the box with Osimhen bursting through just ahead of the goalkeeper to squeeze the ball past.

After the opening goal, Nigeria delivered little else in spite of its ball possession dominance. In fact, it was Lesotho that came close to scoring with a fierce shot that Uzoho dived full length to scurry into safety. Although, Lesotho would claim to have scored from the rebound, the replay clearly showed that the Lesotho player was a tad offside.

The Nigerians opened the second half like a house on fire. It appeared the coaches had excoriated the opening half display. It was a new vigor. They were chasing the balls, closing down spaces and forcing the harried Lesotho players into errors. It was a vigor that had been entirely absent in the opening half. It paid off, as expected, after just four minutes. A pressured Lesotho defense gave up the ball in their own box  and in an ensuing scramble, Osimhen found Etebo who craftily placed the ball beyond the keeper and into the net. But the pressure suddenly dimmed. Instead, the Nigerians reverted to a listless display but that was after both Chukwueze and Osimhen had fired wide.

Onuachu, whose tottering international career had been rescued as replacement for an absent invitee, scored his second in as many matches. It was Nigeria's third and final of the day. Onyekuru had delivered a no-miss opportunity in the box and Paul Onuachu rifled home to rile his team mates into a rapturous celebration. He had risen from goat to hero.

Line-up

Francis Uzoho -- Tyrone Ebuehi, Leon Balogun, William Ekong (cpt), Zaidu Sanusi (50th Jamilu Collins) -- Samuel Chukwueze (87th Anayo Iwuala), Wilfred Ndidi, Oghenekaro Etebo, Alex Iwobi (77th Henry Onyekuru) -- Kelechi Iheanacho (87th Ahmed Musa), Victor Osimhen (77th Paul Onuachu).

Rating

Francis Uzoho (1) -- 6.5 -- Uzoho delivered a credible display in goal which included one save in the opening half when he dived full length to divert a gdalbound shot. Overall, his command of his box, was top notch. His erstwhile Achilles heel in playing the ball around his box appears improved.

Tyrone Ebuehi (21) -- 6.8 -- This was a masterful performance. Rarely, if ever, did he put a foot wrong in this game. In reality, this game would lead to questions on why he is being sat on the bench in bigger games.

Leon Balogun (6) -- 6.2 -- Another workman like performance. Balogun did all that was needed of him but the truth is Lesotho was not much of a worry.

William Ekong (cpt-5) -- 6.0 -- Ekong conceded multiple fouls in this game and ended up in the match official's book.

Zaidu Sanusi (15) -- 6.2 -- This was a walk in the park game for Zaidu. He had his usual runs down the flank before his day was over. There was nothing spectacular for Zaidu but nothing bad either.

Samuel Chukwueze (17) -- 6.3 -- Samu is gifted but it is also shocking how poor his shooting is. In the previous game, it was atrocious and in this game, he served nothing better. However, his skill will get him opportunities but the ultimate question is what he does with those opportunities.

Wilfred Ndidi (4) -- 6.8 -- Another steady display, as usual. Today, Ndidi was one of the few that played to his strengths when others were asleep.

Oghenekaro Etebo (8) -- 6.5 -- Etebo got on the scorer's sheet but his constant gesturing at errors must miff his team mates. Notably, his passing range continues to be limited but he does maintain possession of the ball.

Alex Iwobi (18) -- 6.4 -- Iwobi was embroiled in a COVID test controversy that prevented him from playing in Porto Novo but today he returned and had a good display. However, he made one atrocious pass in the opening half that one must cite as an error.

Kelechi Iheanacho (14) -- 6.2 -- Kelechi had an average day but his eventful pass helped deliver Nigeria's opening goal. Kelechi had few opportunities and was limited largely to long range shots.

Victor Osihmen (9) -- 6.4 -- Victor was busy, as always, running at the defense and generally creating problems for the defense. However, his sharpness was clearly absent with several opportunities going awry. He scored the opening goal but could have notched at least two others.

Substitutes

Jamilu Collins (3) --  6.1 -- Jamilu played one half of football and did make his contributions with runs down the left but nothing spectacular.

Paul Onuachu (19) -- X -- Paul scored again to make the case that his performance in Denmark for his club is not a fluke. Importantly, it appears his team mates are genuinely happy for him given the wild displays after his goal.

Henry Onyekuru (11) -- X -- Henry provided an assist and he is growing into a well rounded player who fights on both sides of the ball. This is a mile away from his earlier performances in Nigeria's colors when he appeared to lack interest in the ball recovery phase.

Ahmed Musa (7) -- X -- The clock is ticking and calling for "good night" to a stellar career marked with World Cup heroics. Musa, we were told, was not to be part of these last two games but trust Gernot Rohr at your own peril.

Anayo Iwuala (10) -- X -- That Anayo would grab the rarified No. 10 shirt speaks volumes! This player has no fear. On the field, he showed again that he is not afraid to make mistakes and to take on challenges. Again, his display portends more games for the national team.