It was a defensive Master Class by the Flying Eagles to eliminate hosts Argentina and qualify for the Quarterfinal of this year’s U20 World Cup.
SCORENigeria rates the individual performances of the gallant warriors.
7 Aniagboso
The goalkeeper, cool and collected, pulled off a couple of top saves including one with the foot early in the second half to preserve his clean sheet as the Flying Eagles held on to record a famous victory.
6 Agbalaka
This has not been his best tournament as he has often been a step late to the tackle, but at least he was effective and kept it safe at leftback.
8 Ogwuche
He was literally a tower of strength to have another massive outing as he kept out almost everything Argentina threw in the air.
8 Frederick
He was solid in the heart of the back-four alongside Ogwuche. Unruffled under pressure, intelligent interventions and matched the physicality of the opponents.
7 Bameyi
The captain did the needful at rightback. He was solid and effective.
8 Daniel Daga
Another huge day in the office for the young defensive midfield. He again showed he was badly missed at the U20 AFCON.
8 Tochukwu Nnadi
Another huge performance by the midfielder, tackling, blocking and pushing forward, to justify his starting spot. He was unlucky not to score just before the hour mark when his effort from outside the box came off the crossbar with the goalkeeper in no-man’s land.
7 Samson Lawal
He may have his shortcomings particularly with his creativity, but you cannot fault his grafting. He kept going till like a beaver until he was replaced in stoppage time.
8 Ibrahim Mohammed ‘Beji’
The man for the big occasion as he again delivered when it mattered most. He got the go-ahead goal as coach Bosso’s huge gamble to start him despite some indifferent performances that saw him dropped altogether for the Brazil game. He was also great when he tracked back to help the defence.
6 Salim Fago
Still a curious choice to start this team’s attack. His movement was okay, but he hardly troubled the opposing defence and should not have lasted almost an hour before he was hauled off.
8 Emmanuel Umeh
He again came in to prove he should be the one to lead this team’s strike force. He held up the ball upfront, combined intelligently before he crowned another decent shift with the assist for the opening goal. It will again be a big gamble not to start him in the quarterfinal.
7 Jude Sunday
The exciting winger worked his socks off and his trickery again caught the eye. He is the X-factor in the Flying Eagles attack.
7 Victor Eletu
He came off the bench to provide the assist for the second goal by literally standing his ground inside the box.
7 Haliru Sarki
The pacy winger took the second goal very well to give the Flying Eagles a much-needed cushion as Argentina continued to chase the game. He also helped out back on the right side of the defence.
Kehinde Ibrahim, Joshua John – Not enough minutes to rate them
Starting XI vs Argentina (4-3-3)
Aniagboso – Agbalaka, Ogwuche, Frederick, Bameyi (Captain) – Daga, Nnadi (Joshua John 90+), Samson Lawal (Kehinde Ibrahim 90+) – Ibrahim Mohammed ‘Beji’ (Eletu 79), Salim Fago (Umeh 57), Jude Sunday (Sarki 57)
