Nigeria kept their hope of qualifying for the round 16 at the World Cup in Russia with a 2-0 win over Iceland courtesy of a brace from Ahmed Musa.
Owngoalnigeria.com rates the Nigerian players on parade during the game.
Francis Uzoho : Dominated his box with authority. Claimed aerial balls with ease and above all was big when he needed to when Iceland had a chance to whip in a cross across goal late in the game….. 7.5/10
Bryan Idowu : Looked uncomfortable in his role as left wing back and no surprise the team looked better after his substitution. The only player who didn’t play to his level for the Super Eagles….. 4/10
Related Post
Kenneth Omeruo : Solid in aerial duels and started the move that lead to the opening goal for Nigeria with a solid header. Bagged the assist for Musa’s second goal with a clearance from the box. A truly commanding performance….. 7.5/10
Leon Balogun : Calm, cool and collected. Didn’t lose a single aerial duel and made vital interceptions. Marshalled the back line with ease and drove
forward when he has to….. 7.5/10
William Troost-Ekong : A bit erratic with the ball at his feet but grew into the game in the second half. Still need to work on his timing and movements in the box….. 7/10
Wilfred Ndidi – Covered almost every blade of the pitch for the Super Eagles. Came close to scoring with a well hit drive and overall had a very good game against the highly rated Gylfi Sigurdsson in the midfield….. 7.5/10
Oghenekaro Etebo – Didn’t match the same height he reached in the first half with his display but still did enough to earn a good rating particularly in the area of pressing opponents into making mistakes….. 7/10
Mikel Obi – The captain led by example with a very commanding performance playing in front of the back three. Distributed the ball with ease and defended when he had to. Did his job with the level everyone knows he has….. 7.5/10
Victor Moses – Strong performance in the second half with the assist for Musa’s opening goal and also drove the team forward. Looked really comfortable playing as a right wing-back….. 8/10
Kelechi Iheanacho – Tried to hold the ball for his teammates to run into space but his height and body frame against the defenders of Iceland gave him away. Made runs that opened space for Musa to strike….. 6/10
Ahmed Musa – Man of the match display from the man who has now scored more goals for Nigeria than any other player at the World Cup. Took his first goal with a well executed technique and was calm in converting his second goal….. 8.5/10
Substitutes :
Tyronne Ebuehi – Brought a raw injection of pace, skills and calmness. Unlucky to give away the penalty which was missed by Iceland but overall his introduction gave Nigeria balance in the game….. 7/10
Alex Iwobi – Didn’t get involved enough to earn a rating.
Odion Ighalo – Had possession in promising position but didn’t look quite sure about what to do with it. Yet to hit the form he showed during the World Cup Qualifiers.
Osas Mahawi
