SCORENigeria rates the individual performances of the Super Eagles in a 1-0 win over Libya in a 2025 AFCON qualifier in Uyo.
6 Stanley Nwabali
He was on holidays on this day. But that should be a very different story on Tuesday night in Benina, when they have to pour forward to try to salvage whatever remains of their 2025 AFCON qualifying campaign.
6 Ola Aina
Pushed down to join the attack at right fullback as he was not tested back in defence. But he could not really contribute to anything significantly in attack against a crowded Libyan defence.
6 Bruno Onyemaechi
Same thing goes for the Boavista defender at left fullback. No cross or through ball that will unlock the Libyan defence.
6 Calvin Bassey
He was decent but often stayed back in defence even when the North Africans were camped in their own half of the pitch.
6.5 William Ekong
He ventured occasionally into the attack as was expected of him and that was how he got a half chance off a rebound that he ballooned into the stands.
6.5 Wilfred Ndidi
He was full of endeavour, but lacking creativity when he pushed forward.
6 Frank Onyeka
Full of running as always, but probably was surplus to requirements as there was no need for a second defensive midfielder besides Ndidi. Probably the more attacking Fisayo Dele-Bashiru ought to have started as Libya did not offer any danger going forward.
6.5 Alex Iwobi
He had at least four clear-cut chances to score, but was either denied by the Libyan goalkeeper or his finishing let him down. Goal scoring has never been his strongest suit and this was very much evident in this game.
An African referee said Lookman is offside.
They did it against Rwanda and they are doing it against Libya pic.twitter.com/aQ8YMTqHLs— Jayjam (@JayItsJam) October 11, 2024
6 Ademola Lookman
This was certainly not one of his best games for Nigeria. He played on the right side of attack, while Moses Simon was on his favoured left. He later played as a second striker behind Victor Boniface. Showed glimpses of his class like when he fired the goal that was chalked off for offside in the 84th minute.
5 Victor Boniface
Again, he did not leave to the high expectations. While he has been flying at his German club Bayer Leverkusen, he again blew cold with the Super Eagles. This was his eighth appearance in a green-white-green shirt and he has yet to score. The pressure will continue to mount as he continues to search for his first Super Eagles goal.
7.5 Moses Simon
He was the most impressive Super Eagles star after goal hero Dele Bashiru. He delivered the assist for the match winner and he was a real danger to the packed Libyan defence. He made a strong case that he should play on the left side of attack and now Ademola Lookman would have to play as a second striker, which is what he also plays at his club Atalanta.
8 Fisayo Dele-Bashiru
His late goal gave the Super Eagles the maximum points to break the resolve of the Libyans going into the rematch Tuesday night. The Lazio man ought to have started this game ahead of Iwobi because he always has goals in him and he is a lot more creative than the Fulman star. It will be a major shock if he does not start in Libya.
5 Samuel Chukwueze
He tried to impress when he was brought on after an hour of action for Frank Onyeka, but he failed to do so even though he had enough minutes to make an impact. In one instance, he broke through the Libyan defence, but his final ball was blocked by inspired goalkeeper Murad Al Wuheeshi.
Super Eagles Starting XI vs Libya (4–3-3) Stanley Nwabali – Calvin Bassey, William Ekong (Captain), Bruno Onyemaechi, Ola Aina- Wilfred Ndidi (Raphael Onyedika 74), Frank Onyeka (Samuel Chukwueze 61), Alex Iwobi(Fisayo Dele-Bashiru 74) – Ademola Lookman (Semi Ajayi 90), Victor Boniface (Taiwo Awoniyi 74), Moses Simon
SUPER EAGLES PLAYERS RATINGS VS LIBYA
By Hillary Ochiabuto
GOALKEEPER
1.Stanley Nwabali (7/10)
The Chippa United of South Africa safe hands was practically on holidays for the most part of the game. He however rose to the occasion the few times he was called upon with spectacular saves. He once came off his line at a time in the game thereby exposing his goal mouth.
DEFENDERS
2.Ola Aina(5/10)
The Nottingham Forest of England right back did not cover himself in glory in this game . This may yet be one his worst games in a Super Eagles shirt. He made some erratic passes and lost possession of the ball so easily. He did not quite join the attack as expected and his crosses were few in between.He however grew into the game after receiving some pep talk from coach Augustine Eguavoen.
3.Bruno Onyemaechi (8/10)
The Boavista man seems to have cemented his place in the absence of injured Zaidu Sanusi of FC Porto. He joined the attack from his left wing back position and delivered some killer crosses into the opponents’ penalty area. He also performed his defensive duties well.
4.William Troost-Ekong (8/10)
The Skipper kept things tidy at the back and provided leadership on the pitch when it mattered most.He combined well with Calvin Bassey in the central defence to keep the marauding Libyans at bay .
5.Calvin Bassey(7/10)
The Fullham man was preferred ahead of Semi Ajayi in the Super Eagles central defence. He helped the Eagles maintain their clean sheet in the 2025 AFCON qualifiers having not conceded any goal so far in 3 games .
MIDFIELDERS
6.Wifred Ndidi(5/10)
The Leicester City player did not really click with Alex Iwobi and Frank Onyeka ina three-man midfield combination. He gifted the ball to the opponents’on few occasions. However he grew into the game later on.
7.Frank Onyeka(6/10)
The on loan Augsburg man did not live up to his reputation as a destroyer. The aggressive Libyans danced around him with effortless ease. However,he delivered a good cross from the right in the game which no player could connect to fire home .
8.Alex Iwobi
Jay Jay Okocha’s nephew fizzled out so early in the game. He. did not perform his playmaker’s duty as expected and ballonned a goal-bound ball into the air to the disappointment of the fans .He was justifiably substituted in the second half with Lazio’s Fisayo Dele-Bashiru.
FORWARDS
9.Victor Boniface(6/10)
The Bayer Leverkusen striker struggled to make any impact in the absence of Victor Osimhen. He had no shot on goal throughout the game and was most times found to be out of position. He is yet to convince in a Super Eagles shirt.
10.Ademola Lookman (9/10)
The 2017 FIFA U20 World Cup winner with England and 2024 Ballon D’our nominee was again in his element. He scored a good goal which was adjudged to be from an offside position. Overall he gave a good account of himself despite fluffing some few chances in front of goal.
11.Moses Simon (8/10)
The FC Nantes of France winger dazzled, outsmarted and mesmerized the Libya Left back for the most part of the game,sending him to the wrong direction with his awesome pace and dribbling runs. His hard work was rewarded in the 86th minute when he delivered the cross from the right flank which Fisayo Dele-Bashiru pounced on to score Nigeria’s lone goal.
THE SUBTITUTES
12.Samuel CHUKWUEZE(7/10)
The AC Milan effeverscent winger was introduced after the break for Frank Onyeka with the camera showing him receiving instructions on what to do from coach Augustine Eguavoen. He made some dangerous forays down the right flank, causing anxious moments for the Libyan defence . He also fired a thunderbolt of a shot on target which was saved by the Mediterranean Knights’ goalkeeper.
13.Fisayo Dele-Bashiru (9/10)
The SS Lazio attacking midfielder added some stability and urgency to the Super Eagles midfield after his introduction. He missed a sitter which got coach Austin Eguavoen scratching his head on the sidelines. However,he positioned himself so well in the 86th minute pouncing on a delicious cross from the enterprising Moses Simon to smash the ball into the back of the net for the game’s decider.
14.Raphael Onyedika(5/10)
The Club Brugge of Belgium midfield maestro put every feet right and in his characteristic manner, covered every blade of grass on the pitch as the Super Eagles surged forward in search of the much needed goal .
15.Taiwo Awoniyi (2/10)
The Nottingham Forest striker was introduced very late into the game and was anonymous for the few minutes he spent on the pitch.
16.Semi Ajayi (4/10)
The England-born defender was introduced for Ademola Lookman in the dying minutes as a precaution to shore up the defence and maintain Nigeria’s lead as the game reached the home stretch. The West Bromwich Albion man did just that as he intercepted a dangerous ball and thwarted a last ditch goal-bound move made by the visiting Libyans.
RATING THE COACH
It’s now 2 wins and 1 draw for coach Augustine Eguavoen in his third spell with the Super Eagles.
“Cerezo” as he is popularly called by admirers ,however has continued with his penchant for introducing players from the bench very late into games.
When it was obvious that Bayer Leverkusen striker, Victor Boniface had no ideas on how to unlock the Libyan tight defence, he allowed him to continue even after the break.
Overall, Eguavoen has proven to be a good coach as most of his decisions paid off at last. He also seems to have established some kind of bond with the players and this is good for team stability and cohesion.
The Sports Ministry and the NFF should make his appointment permanent while hoping for the best going forward.