SCORENigeria rates the individual performances of the Nigeria U23s as they dumped visiting Sudan 5-0 in Asaba today to qualify for the U23 AFCON in Egypt in November.
Adamu Abubakar 6
He was virtually on holidays throughout the game as his team camped in the half of Sudan and was only called upon to make a couple of routine saves.
John Lazarus 5
Despite the big win by Nigeria, the little rightback remains one of the missing links in the team. He bombed forward a number of occasions but without much conviction.
Ebube Duru 5
He was also not convincing at leftback and coach Imama must do well to shop for a better replacement before the U23 AFCON.
Olisa Ndah 7
Calm under pressure and showed he is a very technical player with his great passing.
Anthony Izuchukwu 7
He made an impressive debut for the U23s and he did not look out of place. He could even have got on the scoresheet with a thumping header in the first half which went wide off the mark.
Okechukwu Azubuike 8
Assured display in the midfield. He kept things ticking in the middle as Sudan were outclassed in all departments of the game.
Kelechi Nwakali 8
He didn’t look like a player who has not played competitive football for almost half of the year. He prodded the attack with his varied range of passes. He was indeed a valuable addition to the team who lost in Sudan.
Ndifreke Effiong 8 Man of the Match
The versatile player scored a brace and worked his socks off the park in midfield to underline his class which saw him play at the Rio Olympics back in defence.
Muyiwa Olabiran 8
Great individual display by the Russia-based winger, who though could do a lot better by playing with the rest of the team. He has the X-factor and so he is exciting to watch and could have capped his performance with at least a goal.
Taiwo Awoniyi 7
Got the all-important opening goal early in the game to calm the nerves. He also showed his commitment to the team cause before he was hauled off.
Sunusi Ibrahim 7
Ran himself to the ground as he scored the fifth goals and also provided an assist. He justified his start ahead of his foreign-based rivals.
Sunday Faleye 7
He made an immediate impact when he came off the bench with a goal and an assist. He redeemed himself after a below-par showing in Sudan.
Fatai Gbadamosi 6
The defensive midfielder fitted in nicely when he was introduced late on. Will be a good cover for the star-studded midfield this team can boast of.
Stephen Odey 6
He was direct when he joined the fray and was unlucky not to have also got on the scoreboard.
Nigeria U23 starting XI vs Sudan – (4-4-2)
Adamu Abubakar – John Lazarus, Ebube Duru, Anthony Jude Izuchukwu, Ndah Olisa – Okechukwu Azubuike, Kelechi Nwakali (Fatai Gbadamosi), Muyiwa Olabiran (Sunday Faleye), Ndifreke Effiong – Taiwo Awoniyi (Stephen Odey), Sunusi Ibrahim
