Nigeria Grinds out Pivotal Draw... Now in Pole Position for the World Cup

Kumasi -- Nigeria fought to earn a result in Kumasi, in a crucial third round of the World Cip qualifiers,  against Ghana. The second leg of this qualifier comes up Tuesday in Abuja, where Nigeria will be backed by an important home support.

Ghana dominated stretches of this game with 10 shots against 7 asnd 9-2 edge on corner kicks. However, Nigeria fought valiantly and for the first time in eons, a Nigerian goalkeeper (Francis Uzoho) proved significant in earning this important point. 

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Ghana dominated stretches of this game with 10 shots against 7 asnd 9-2 edge on corner kicks. However, Nigeria fought valiantly and for the first time in eons, a Nigerian goalkeeper (Francius Uzoho) proved significant in earning this important point. 

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Although, Ghana dominated territorially for a longer stretch of this game, there were not many great opportunities. Ghana's early ascendancy was clear in the middle as Nigeria's middle was clearly playing on the back foot with Wilfred Ndidi's absence evident. Nigeria only challenged Ghana's control  when Manager Eguavoen imtroduced reinforcements early in the second half. It was only then that Nigeria provided any meaningful service to its attack. Not that Ghana's domination in the middle was surprising. It was assumed by many who assessed the array of players on both sides. Moreover, Ghana loaded the numbers up the middle and completely blunted any Nigerian opposition in the middle. 

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Out in the wide areas, the home team ensured that Nigeria's Simon and Chukwueze were kept quiet for stretches until both were rescued with second half substitutions. It is clear that Manager Eguavoen has to rethink this approach by Tuesday. More than likely, Etebo will get a start to ensure a semblance of

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Out in the wide areas, the home team ensured that Nigeria's Simon and Chukwueze were kept quiet for stretches until both were rescued with second half substitutions. It is clear that Manager Eguavoen has to rethink this approach by Tuesday. 

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ball possession in the middle and, perhaps, Denis will get a longer run out.  Both Lookman and Bassey earned their long anticipated debut in Kumasi but they will need another appearance to determine  long term contributions. Bassey, particularly, was lively but this was not a game to determine his central place on this team.

Overall, it was a good result for Nigeria eventhough Nigeria may feel hard-done by a VCR overrule on a penalty awarded in the second half when Ghana's Baba handled in his box. The VCR ruled that Baba was fouled on the play before he grabbled the ball. If it had been awarded as a penalty, it surely would have been more than Nigeria deserved.

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Nigeria may feel hard-done by a VCR overrule on a penalty awarded in the second half when Ghana's Baba handled in his box. The VCR ruled that Baba was fouled on the play before he grabbled the ball. If it had been awarded as a penalty, it surely would have been more than Nigeria deserved.

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Francis Uzoho (1)₁₈—Ola Aina (2)₂₅, William Troost-Ekong (cpt-5)₅₉, Leon Balogun (6)₄₄, Zaidu Sanusi (12)₁₀ (73^rd Calvin Bassey (18)₁)– Innocent Bonke (20)₃* (64^th Etebo Oghenekaro (8)₃₉ 77 )_, Joseph Aribo (10)₁₆ (58^th Frank Onyeka (4)₆)– Samuel Chukwueze (17)₂₃ (58^th Emmanuel Denis Bonaventure (21)₄), Kelechi Iheanacho (14)₄₃, Moses Simon (15)₅₇ (73^rd Ademola Lookman (12)₁),  Victor Osimhen (9)₂₀. 

RATINGS

Francis Uzoho - 7.0 -- It has taken a long while for a Nigerian goalkeeper too be kept busy and to come out unscathed in such conditions. Uzoho made some delicate saves and faced stretches of pressure in this game. In the 32nd minute, he made a pivotal save from a vicious 20 yard shot that could have given Ghana a victory. It was just one of several moments.

Ola Aina -- 6.4 -- Ola Aina was good as always. The most notable was a 40th minute pass that he made to set Aribo through but the latter finished his shot far too high off the goal.

William Troost-Ekong (cpt) -- 6.4 -- Troost continued his stellar play that began at the AFCON. Today, he was good again except for one error in the second but he had Uzoho quick off his limes to clear the danger. He had a great 73rd minute save as Ghana broke free down the left.

Leon Balogun -- 6.8 -- Leon was Nigeria's best defender today. He made atleast two last ditch saves as Ghana exploited holes in Nigeria's offside traps in the opening half.

Zaidu Sanusi -- 6.0 -- Zaidu was average today and was duly substituted with Bassey in the second half. Some of GHana's threat came repeatedly down his area.

Innocent Bonke -- 6.2 -- Bonke made a few stops but also conceded a free kicks. He provided little going forward and failed to help maintain possession. He was eventually injured and had to be substituted.

Joseph Aribo -- 6.2 -- Aribo struggled to get a grip on this game as Ghana, expectedly, controlled the middle. Aribo fluffed one opportunity going forward after Aina offered an opening. Aribo was eventually replaced and it was telling that Etebo came in and calmed the waters offering Nigeria a measure of challenge in Ghana's midfield control.

Kelechi Iheanacho -- 6.1 -- Iheanacho may not be a midfield player but he does have an eye for a telling pass and he provided a couple today but otherwise was anonymuous.

Samuel Chukwueze -- 6.0 -- Chukwueze is developing a habit of M.I.A. in big games for country. That was the case, again, today. More worrying is his effort level is not where it should be. He faces a likelihood that his place may go to Emmanuel Dennis sooner than later.

Moses Simon -- 6.2 -- Except for one opportunity which led to a 14th minute cross than Osimhen failed to control, Simon was quiet and kept under control by Ghana. He was eventually taken off, expectedly.

Victor Osimhen -- 6.4 -- Victor's rating is based on his untiring effort even when the service was sorely lacking. He was checked and crowded out by a ldeep-lying midield and centrebacks that had done their study.

Frank Onyeka -- 6.2 -- Frank Onyeka came in early for Aribo but did not do much better as Ghana had a grip of the middle and Nigeria's presence was only notable when Etebo eventually came onto the field.

Emmanuel Denis -- 6.4 -- Although he was on for a few minutes, it all counted. Not only did he track back to stave a dangerous moment late but his other contributions were notable. He will likely see more minutes in Abuja.

Etebo Oghenekaro -- 6.4 -- Etebo is another player that will, surely, see more minutes in Abuja in the absence of Ndidi. His emntrance in Kumasi earned Nigeria some measure of control in the middle.

Ademola Lookman -- 6.1 -- Ademola had his debut but there was little time to prove his worth, especially as Ghana had a grip of this game.

Calvin Bassey -- 6.3 -- He was on for a few minutes but those may have been more notable than minutes spent by Sanusi. Calvin was not spectacular but he gave some lift going forward in his debut.