The Super Eagles were again shambolic as they had to fight back from a goal down to draw 1-1 with Equatorial Guinea. SCORENigeria rates the individual performances of the players –
Nwabali 5
Decent and assured display by the Chippa United goalkeeper picked ahead of Francis Uzoho. He was certainly not to blame for the Equatorial Guinea goal. He was a spectator on his AFCON debut, but he won’t be on Thursday against Group A main rivals Cote d’Ivoire.
Zaidu Sanusi 4
Not a great outing by the match rusty FC Porto fullback who had a chance in each half to score only to fluff his lines.
Ola Aina 6
Battled hard in defence and showed some good things when he joined the attack. He delivered at least a good cross into the box but Osimhen failed to make hay and his low shot in second half was kept out by the goalkeeper.
Semi Ajayi 5
He just got bye against a counter attacking team that hardly troubled the Super Eagles. He has to raise his game Thursday against the host nation.
William Ekong 6
The best Nigerian defender on the day. He was effective, using his experience and determination.
Frank Onyeka 5
He grafted, but was anonymous and it was a big surprise he played the entire duration of this match.
Alhassan Yusuf 7
Easily Nigeria’s standout performer on his AFCON debut. He was not overwhelmed by the occasion or even by the very physical opponents.
Ademola Lookman 6
An above average showing by the Atalanta BC forward, who was again deployed on the wings and not as a second striker that he is at his Serie A club. Got the assist for the equalising goal.
Alex Iwobi 5
Started brightly but soon disappeared. He is still not the man to provide the creative juice for the attack.
Moses Simon 5
Another committed performance by the FC Nantes winger, but he failed to deliver any end product in form of a cross or a goal.
Victor Osimhen 6
But for his equalizer, which was his first AFCON goal, he disappointed as he had at least three big chances to really announce himself on this stage. He was wasteful.
Joe Aribo 4
He seemed disinterested when he was introduced to the game and did not offer much.
Samuel Chukwueze 4
Tried to do a lot more when he came on, but he did not produce again for the Super Eagles.
Super Eagles Starting XI vs Equatorial Guinea
Stanley Nwabali – Zaidu Sanusi (calvin Bassey 83), Ola Aina (Osayi-Samuel 83), Semi Ajayi, William Ekong – Frank Onyeka, Alhassan Yusuf (Joe Aribo 68) – Ademola Lookman, Alex Iwobi (Paul Onuachu 90), Moses Simon (Samuel Chukwueze 68) – Victor Osimhen
