Nigeria Go Down Fighting 0-1 to Cameroon

Vienna, Austria -- Nigeria went down 0-1 to Cameroon in an international friendly before 1,000 estimated attendance. Nigeria, debuting four players, never really got off the low gear until Cameroon stung with the only goal after 36 minutes had gone by. The goal was a 25 yard low bolt from Anguissa and goalkeeper Maduka Okoye was slow getting down with the ball already slammed past before he arrived. Although Cameroon won this game, there is nothing from the game that demonstrated superiority over Nigeria, except the scoreline. 

The game was even for most of the night before Cameroon struck. Nigeria, in fact, had come close earlier when Etebo slipped the ball in deep but an onrushing Onuachu managed to hit the chance high when it seemed easier to score. However, that was not the definitive miss. The definitive miss was not until 57 minutes of the game had passed and Nigeria found itself chasing a goal. Yet, Simon managed to hit a rebound skywards from barely 10 yards after Cameroon had turned away an initial Onuachu effort. 

Nigeria battled and dominated from then onwards despite some really horrific tackles from Cameroon. That battling saw an opportunity just outside the box when Simon's free kick was turned away into corner at the 70th minute. The antecedent to the free kick was a slalom by Iwobi as he ghosted past four defenders before he was turned to the ground. From then on, and inspire of Nigeria's dominance, nothing much defined the game except for an inexplicable turning on of the sprinklers that disrupted the game for a couple of minutes. 

. .. Certainly, the Nigerian team gave a good account of itself in this international friendly but the gulf between Wilfred Ndidi's play and the rest of the players on both sides, except for Cameroon's excellent goalkeeper, was staggering.

Line-Up:

Maduka Okoye (16) - Abdullahi Shehu (12), William Ekong (cpt. 12) (86th Valentine Ozornwafor (6), Chiedozie Awaziem (20), Jamilu Collins (3) -- Oghenekaro Etebo (8)(80th Peter Olayinka (13)), Wilfred Ndidi (4) -- Alex Iwobi (18) (84th Marcus Abraham (21)), Kelechi Iheanacho (14) (66th Ahmed Musa (7)), Moses Simon (15) (80th Anayo Iwuala (24)) -- Paul Onuachu (19) (66th Terem Moffi (9)). 

RATING

Maduka Okoye -- 6.0 -- Okoye was the less busy of the two goalkeepers most of the game and was mostly steady. However, he was slow getting down for the low shot that ultimately decided the game.

Abdullahi Shehu  -- 6.0 -- Shehu showed nothing spectacular but provided steady  participation both going forward and defending.

William Ekong -- 6.3 -- William was taken off after he developed what appeared to be cramps after going down late and untouched. In the game, he came close with a vicious free kick late as Nigeria searched desperately to equalize.

Chiedozie Awaziem -- 6.2 -- Chiedozie had a steady partnership in the middle with William butt that has always been his calling card. This lad deserves to start but for some reason he seems perpetually stuck on the bench in critical games. Today, he again showed that he belongs out on the field.

Jamilu Collins -- 6.0 -- Jamilu is a steady performer but clearly his game is not as elevated as the absent Sanusi. Jamilu is simply a desirable substitute but nothing more. Today, he demonstrated that.

Oghenekaro Etebo -- 6.3 -- Etebo had his moments today and always magnificently shields the ball but his range of passing is just limited. Clearly, he is good when Nigeria seeks to possess the ball but when Nigeria is chasing a game, he appears limited in terms of the range and options that he can provide.

Wilfred Ndidi -- 8.0 -- This lad had a super game. He was head and shoulders above everyone else on the field, except for Cameroon's goalkeeper. The fact that he is only rated 8.0 here is simply a function of the game result. He was winning balls all over the place and setting up play. If his team mates had exhibited similar gumption, this game would have been out of reach for the Cameroonians.

Alex Iwobi -- 6.1 -- Alex had one slalom run in the second half that was remarkable and ended up earning Nigeria a free kick in a dangerous spot. However, there was clear rustiness in his play. At times, he looked  sleepy and at other times he exploded.

Moses Simon -- 6.2 -- Simon had a dangerous free kick turned away in the second half but many will also remember him blazing an opportunity to the skies when it seemed easier to have put it away. Besides those moments, he was sleep walking.

Kelechi Iheanacho -- 6.2 -- Kelechi seemed involved earlier on but playing deeper than he usually does at Leicester may explain the few opportunities that came his way. Then when those appear, he seems rushed. 

Paul Onuachu -- 6.4 -- Paul had one of his best games, in terms of involvement, for Nigeria but yet he did not get on the scoresheet. However, he did win the fouls and was involved for much of the play. Notably, he blew a good opportunity earlier in the game.

Terem Moffi -- 6.0 -- Terem debuted in the second half and was on for 25 minutes and was involved but did nothing that was remarkable. Hopefully, he starts in the next game for a better assessment of what his worth is for Nigeria.

Ahmed Musa -- 5.5 -- Musa is inching towards a century of appearances for Nigeria but surely his contributions today will not be one of those that will be remembered. It is clear that the coach is determined to get him to a century of games for Nigeria and he deserves it but his days of being a major contributor appear to be clearly in the past.

NOT RATED (Played less than 15 minutes each)

Peter Olayinka, Anayo Iwuala, Peter Olayinka, and Valentine Ozornwafor.