The Super Eagles of Nigeria were held to a 1-1 draw by host Cameroon in yesterday’s World Cup 2018 Qualifiers in Yaounde. Owngoalnigeria.com Patrick Joel who watched the game live rates the Nigerian players who played in the tie.
Ratings :
Ikechukwu Ezenwa – Very assured in dealing with crosses into the box, and displayed fine reflex and reactionary when Cameroon sort to take the lead. Should have done better with the challenge that lead to the penalty awarded to Cameroon…. 7/10
Shehu Abdullahi – Man of The Match display from the Cyprus based defender. Solid in defending, joined the attack when he needed to and also looked very comfortable in possession. Didn’t miss a single tackle all game long….. 8.5/10
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Elderson Echiejile – Copped with all that was thrown at him until the introduction of Christian Bassogog in the second half. Struggled to keep up with the pace of the MVP of the last AFCON but still did enough to keep him out of Nigeria’s box…..6.5/10
William Troost–Ekong – Made one decisive tackle in the box and several more outside. Full of energy, strenth and very solid in aerial duels. Only thing missing in his game has to be his inability to pick a correct pass from the back…..7/10
Leon Balogun – A German gift to Nigeria. Bossed the game and moved the ball out of defence majestically. Picked up a booking but it still didn’t affect his over influence in the game. His class has never been in doubt…..8/10
Wilfred Ndidi – Worked tirelessly in the middle, and covered lot of grounds. Solid in tackles and not scared of getting stuck in. His work rate was key to Nigeria in defence and attack…. 8/10
Ogenyi Onazi – Another disciplined performance from the Trabzonspor man. Mopped up all loose balls with ease. Won back possession for Nigeria countless time and not until his legs gave away Cameroon found it hard to get pass him in front of the Nigerian defence….. 7.5/10
Mikel Obi – His confidence on the ball under pressure clearly showed his class. Wasn’t quite as influential as he was in the first class in Uyo, but did enough to prove why he is the captain. His withdrawal lead to the collapse of the midfield of Nigeria…..7.5/10
Moses Simon – Took his goal nicely and looked very dangerous on the ball. Helped Abdullahi in defending as well and showed no sign of fatigue despite lasting the entire duration of both games against Cameroon withing a space of three days….. 8/10
Victor Moses – A firm fans favourite. A class above every other player on the pitch for both teams. Cameroon had to resort to fouling him to keep him quiet. Surely the livewire of this Nigerian team in attack…..8/10
Odion Ighalo – Dangerous with his back at goal and even when he is up with his man. His hold up play is simply brilliant and it lead to Nigeria’s only goal. Struggled to maintain his pace in the second half, as he wasn’t fully fit for the tie after picking up a knock in the first tie on Friday…..8/10
Substitutes :
Mikel Agu – Looked lost in the middle after coming on for Mikel. Gave away possession cheaply which cost Nigeria the lead….. 4/10
Kelechi Iheanacho – Struggled against the physically imposing defenders of Cameroon and came on at a time when Nigeria have lost their strong hold on the game, hence he got no service to wreck havoc….. 5/10
Oghenekaro Etebo – Added urgency to the play of Nigeria and was very eager to get on the ball. His introduction stemmed the wave of attacks Cameroon were launching….. 5.5/10
Patrick Joel LIVE in Yaoundé
