Nigeria Sweep the Points in Workman Like Win......
CAMEROON -- Nigeria came in today against Sudan behind an exhilarating win over Egypt in the previous came. With high expectations, Nigeria put in a different performance in taking apart the Sudanese 3-1 to maintain a stranglehold on top of the group table. The Nigerian fans must have been disappointed by the play but certainly not the outcome.
Nigeria knew Sudan needed points from this game to stay alive. Nigeria was not prepared to grant those easily and stayed very disciplined staying back and waiting to pounce on opportunities. It was a stark difference from the previous game where Nigeria took the initiative. But by staying back and inviting the Sudanese forward, Nigeria was very fortunate to score very early within the first two minutes as Chukwueze, who drifted early to the middle and left scored off a deep chance.
Although Sudan, invited forward, did very little it was left for Nigeria to create the better opportunities. Sudan's only meaningful first period chance came from distance forcing Okoye to make a spectacular save. The other opportunities belonged to Nigeria. First the Sudanese keeper saved from Awoniyi (26th). Then twice, Ekong'sd and Aribo's efforts were barely saved by the Sudanese. But nothing could prevent Nigeria going further ahead in the 44th minute when Awoniyi fortuitously had the ball struck his head to place him on the scorer's sheet. It was 2-0 at interval.
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Nigeria knew Sudan needed points from this game to stay alive. Nigeria was not prepared to grant those easily and stayed very disciplined staying back and waiting to pounce on opportunities. It was a stark difference from the previous game where Nigeria took the initiative. But by staying back and inviting the Sudanese forward, Nigeria was very fortunate to score very early within the first two minutes as Chukwueze, who drifted early to the middle and left scored off a deep chance.
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A minute after resumption, it was three. Simon found Awoniyi and the return placed Simon free to score. A desperate Sudan was beaten. Nigeria, already on a slower gear, further went to pedestrian mode. They passed the ball around leisurely looking for a solitary break. An increasingly desperate Sudan then received a gift. After 68 minutes, Aina lazily tugged on an attacker's shirt in the box as a corner kick arrived. It took the Sudanese going down and a visit to the VAR to spot the infringement. With Aina in the books, the Sudanese scrambled the spot kick opportunity beyond Okoye to reduce the tally.
In realty this was a game that should have ended with a wider margin in favor of Nigeria. They had a fourth goal mistakenly ruled out for a throw-in but what mattered in the end was the three points and the group lead.
Line-Up
Maduka Okoye (1)15—Ola Aina (2)23+68, William Troiost-Ekong (cpt-5)56, Kenneth Omeruo (22)57, Zaidu Sanusi (12)8 – Wilfred Ndidi (4)46, Joseph Aribo (10)14 +57 (64th Kelechi Nwakali (25)2), – Samuel Chukwueze (11)21(46th Alex Iwobi (18)53, Kelechi Iheanacho (14)40 (64th Ahmed Musa (7)103), Moses Simon (15)54– Taiwo Awoniyi (19)3 (81st Sadiq Umar (24)2).
**NOTE: - For the first time, we bring to you a lineup with each individual's number of appearances for Nigeria (in subscript). You wont see this anywhere else in the world. We feel, however, that it is important information for all readers.
Ratings
Maduka Okoye - 6.3 - Maduka made one spectacular first half save and fumbled two second half shots in an otherwise quiet day.
Ola Aina - 6.4 -- Ola had a good day and was strong but not spectacular. The blotch involved a lazy move to tug on an opponent's shirt deep in the box that led to a VAR penalty award to the Sudanese for a goal.
Kenneth Omeruo -6.5 -- Kenneth had another strong performance at the center of the defense.
William Ekong -- 7.0 -- Another strong performance by Nigeria's captain. He kickstarted many attacks from deep and almost had himself on the scoresheet in the opening half.
Zaidu Sanusi -- 6.7 - Zaidu had another strong performance and prevented a Sudanese scoring opportunity with a masterful tackle in the box in the 65th minute.
Wilfred Ndidi -- 6.7 -- Ndidi had a very good day marshalling the middle but started a bit challenged as the Sudanese contested the middle vigorously.
Joseph Aribo -- 8.0 -- My man of the match although without the stats to show for it. However, he was very involved especially in the first half in protecting the ball and easily outmaneuvering the Sudanese repeatedly. He was sent to a very early shower perhaps to rest him after the game had been virtually decided.
Kelechi Iheanacho - 6.2 -- Kelechi had a very quiet day.
Samuel Chukwueze -- 6.3 -- Chukwueze was very involved early switching position frequently and ended up opening Nigeria's goal run. However, he faded and was rightly subbed.
Moses Simon -- 6.8 -- He ended up winning Man of the match with a goal and an assist from the CAF organizers. However, this was not as topnotch as his previous game.
Taiwo Awoniyi -- 6.6 -- Taiwo was involved today and this is his best game yet for Nigeria and he notched his first goal for country with a fortuitous header.
Alex Iwobi - 6.7 -- Alex entered the game at the start of the second half and his presence was felt with some passing vision and he was very busy.
Kelechi Nwakali -- 6.2 -- Kelechi had a fairly good game and was involved with some very good distribution. He hit one set piece opportunity poorly.
Ahmed Musa -- 6.1 -- I expected Musa to get a ruin in this tournament when Nigeria had nothing really to fight for as a thankyou journey continues towards retirement from international games. That opportunity came today. Nothing else top add.
Sadiq Umar -- X -- No graded because of less than 15 minutes in the game. However, he was much livelier than his first game and ended up with a shot at goal albeit from 25 yards out.
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