The Nigeria U23 team showed the talents the team is made of by seeing off Libya 4-0 to seal their passage to the next stage of the Africa U23 Cup of Nations on a 4-2 aggregate score, wiping out the 0-2 defeat they suffered in Tunisia on Wednesday.
Owngoalnigeria.com rates the players on display for Nigeria in the game which saw Victor Osimhen score a hattrick with David Okereke rounding up the rout with the fourth goal minutes after his introduction as a substitute.
Francis Uzoho : Didn’t have any thing meaningful to do during the course of the game but was very commanding with his clearance and his presence brought calm to the defence of Nigeria….. 7/10
Etboy Akpan : Wasn’t quite assured going forward but did put in a solid shift defensively and towards the end of the game showed his stamina with a strong run to stop Libya from attacking down his flank….. 7/10
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Ebube Duru : Has a very strong showing than in the first leg. Good and decisive on the ball, he also defended nicely unlike in the first leg where he lost his man severally….. 7.5/10
Chidozie Awaziem – Oozed class all through. A level above the players he was up against. Solid in the air, strong in tackles and also confident on the ball. Restricted Libya to zero shots on target…. 8/10
Valentine Ozornwafor – Followed up his showing at the Africa U20 Cup of Nations with another faultless performance in defence where he paired Awaziem. Intercepted play with ease and passed the ball out of the back with the composure of a veteran….. 8/10
Azubuike Okechukwu – Ran the show like a boss. He was everywhere on the pitch and had more touches than any Nigerian player on the pitch. Proved his mettle as the captain of the team….. 8/10
Kelechi Nwakali – Struck the woodwork with a well taken freekick in the first half. Wowed the crowd with skills that left his opponents in their wake. Set up Osimhen nicely for the third goal with a well weighted pass….. 8/10
Orji Okonkwo – Put in a strong shift but disappointed when it matters most with his final balls mostly missing his man. Substituted for Dennis Bonaventure midway into the second half….. 6/10
Taiwo Awoniyi – Struggled in the role he was handed behind the main striker in Osimhen. Played nicely with his back to goal but didn’t gather himself properly after missing a sitter minutes into the game. Deservedly substituted….. 6/10
Samuel Chukwueze – Should have scored at least twice but poor decision making made it impossible. Was a threat with his direct running and pace down the flanks. Had a good game but not spectacular as expected by many….. 7/10
Victor Osimhen – By far the best player on the pitch for both teams. Took all his goals confidently and could have scored five times if not for the woodwork and a smart stop by the goalkeeper of Libya….. 9/10
Substitutes :
Dennis Bonaventure – Showed clean pairs of heel o dislodge his markers twice particularly in the build up to the third goal where his spilled shot was back helled by Osimhen into the path of Okereke who scored the fourth goal by Nigeria….. 6/10
David Okereke – Took his goal really well thanks to his positioning in the box. Looked lively with strong runs which pegged the Libyans back….. 6.5/10
Kelechi John – Introduced late on and didn’t get involved enough to command a rating.