Unlike the game against Ghana, the players were unable to build out from the back, as Mali employed a high line, which worked quite well, as the Super Eagles were destabilized.
For the rest of this article, Soccernet.ng rates the players’ performance.
Stanley Nwabali 6.5/10: Nwabali had a decent game against Mali. Although he conceded two goals, he had a decent showing. He did not make any errors that cost the team.
Semi Ajayi 6/10: The West Brom man had a game to forget. He, alongside the other two defenders, could have done better. His lack of communication with the other two center-backs was evident.
Kenneth Omeruo 6/10: Omeruo was the captain on the night, but he could not help to cool the nerves of his teammates. The Super Eagles were under a lot of pressure in the first half, and having cool heads could have reduced the pressure.
Chidozie Awaziem 5.5/10: Awaziem assisted Mali’s first goal. His poor pass gave the Malians an opportunity, and they took it. He looked quite shaky in possession and looked jittery whenever opposition players put pressure on him.
Jamilu Collins 5.8/10: In the absence of Zaidu Sanusi, Collins did not do enough to prove that he deserves a regular starting shirt. He misplaced passes, he struggled to mark opposition defenders and looked offline for most of the encounter.
Raphael Onyedika 6/10: Onyedika also struggled in the game. Finidi’s plan was to break the press and open up chances for the team.
Wilfred Ndidi 5.8/10: It was a night when senior players like Ndidi needed to step up, but he was also swallowed into the game. He misplaced a lot of passes, and it was quite disappointing a player of his ability would be unable to stamp his authority.
Bright Osayi-Samuel 5.9/10: The Fenerbahce man tried to do too much at times. A few times, he was caught in possession in a few times. Osayi-Samuel struggled for most parts of the game.
Kelechi Ihenacho 6.3/10: Iheanacho also looked off in the final third. He had the ball a few times, but he did not use it well. He created one big chance for Cyriel Dessers though, but the Super Eagles star missed.
Moses Simon 6/10: Moses Simon exited the game in the first half because of an injury. But before his injury, he did not offer much in the game.
Alex Iwobi: 6.5/10: Iwobi did not see much on the ball on the night. However, one thing I could be applauded for was his tenacity – He never stopped running. Nonetheless, just like his teammates, he had a bad game
Cyriel Dessers 6/10: Dessers did not get a lot of opportunities, but the big opportunity which he should have taken, he missed it. Aside from that, he was not involved in any other major action.
Source: soccernet.ng
