The Super Eagles got off to a winning start at the 2019 AFCON, narrowly defeating Burundi 1-0, but which Eagles impressed and which ones didn’t.
Daniel Akpeyi: 8/10
He had a good game making some crucial saves. Despite a few nervy moments he was excellent on the night.
William Troost-Ekong : 7/10
He was solid at the back, showing composure as he was rugged in his tackles.
Kenneth Omeruo: 7/10
He formed a solid Center Half pairing with Ekong and showed great strength with awareness as he also covered for the attacking Left-Back.
Ola Aina : 7/10
He tidied up at the back but his impact was felt more up front as he added some bit to the Eagles attack. His back heel assist is still the topic on matchday 1 of the competition.
Shehu Abdullahi : 5/10
He was shaky and indecisive for the most part. Unfortunately he picked up a hamstring in the first-half and was replaced.
Oghenekaro Etebo : 6/10
He was busy in the midfield but rarely took initiative on either side of the pitch.
Wilfred Ndidi : 7/10
He won tackles and covered very well in the hear of the Eagles midfield. Ndidi a little bit more than usual and on this day was pretty much everywhere.
#NGABDI MOTM @Ndidi25 🇳🇬#TotalAFCON2019 pic.twitter.com/jgn1Z7wgkR
— CAF (@CAF_Online) June 22, 2019
Mikel Obi : 6/10
What he lacked in pace he made up for with passes that carved the Burundi side open for players on the flanks. He drew challenges that helped win free kicks, but as a 10, he didn’t really provide the CF with clear cut chances.
Samuel Chukwueze : 7/10
He ran a different show on the right side of the Eagles flank; winging it when the CF failed to execute. The youngster was proven talent on the night and lacked only in goals to match his work rate.
Alex Iwobi : 7/10
He provided something extra in the game as a runner and a creative player. However, he was involved in Nigeria’s goal after he was converted to the Number 10’s role.
Paul Onuachu : 5/10
He drew one save from the goalkeeper in the first half, but couldn’t find the target as the point man in the team’s attack. He lost his confidence and wasn’t contributing much to the team until his substitution.
Chidozie Awaziem : 6/10
He covered well as the replacement for Abdullahi, syncing well in teh back four as he played as a RWB.
Ahmed Musa : 7/10
He added verve to the attack and made some good runs, but was let down mostly by his final ball.
Odion Ighalo : 8/10
A crucial goal late on in the game just four minutes after coming on, Ighalo proved to be the match-winner and it came with his first effort on goal.
He executed nicely what could have been a difficult angle to pick out.
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