The Super Eagles of Nigeria have kept their World Cup hopes alive with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Rwanda at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo, Footynaija.com reports.
Super-sub Tolu Arokodare, who came on to the field of play at the start of the second half, proved to be the decisive figure out there in Uyo with his scrappy 51st minute goal delivering three crucial points for the Super Eagles.
Following this narrow win, Footynaija.com takes a look at how each Super Eagles star fared during the game.
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Stanley Nwabali (GK) – 5.5
Nigeria’s first-choice goalkeeper wasn’t really troubled for the majority of the game with the Super Eagles doing most of the probing. He lost his cool a couple of times in the game and got himself an avoidable first half booking.
Benjamin Frederick (CB) – 6.5
The 20-year-old center-back wasn’t saddled with too much responsibility thanks to Nigeria’s dominance for large parts of the game. But on the rare occasions where the Rwanda attack asked questions of him, he answered with the elegance and confidence of a seasoned veteran.
Calvin Bassey (CB) – 7.0
Bassey was an epitome of solidity in that Super Eagles backline. The Fulham defender gave nothing away all game and also played a huge role in pushing his teammates higher up the pitch when they built attacks from the defensive third.
Ola Aina (RB) – 6.5
The Nottingham Forest star was quiet in the first half with Nigeria struggling to create anything from the right flank. However, his second half display was much more like it as he combined well with Ademola Lookman and caused the Rwandan backline a lot of problems.
Bruno Onyeamaechi (LB) – 6.5
Onyemaechi enjoyed a better first half performance than Aina as he combined well with Alex Iwobi and Moses Simon down the left flank. He did his due diligence in defense and made decent contributions in the attacking third as well.
Wilfred Ndidi (MF) – 7.0
One of Nigeria’s best performers of the evening, Ndidi was central to the Super Eagles’ dominance, especially in the middle of the park. Even after Eric Chelle’s second half tweak made the midfield lighter, Besiktas’ midfield general ensured there were no glaring lapses.
Frank Onyeka (MF) – 6.0
Onyeka had a decent first half showing and was very involved for the Super Eagles as they tried to break down a stubborn Rwandan backline. The Brentford man was the victim of Chelle’s half time tweak but that takes nothing away from a good shift in the first 45 minutes.
Alex Iwobi (AMF) – 6.8
The Fulham star enjoyed a very good game despite playing in two different positions on either side of half time. In the first half, he was always in the thick of Nigeria’s attacking forays and even forced a decent save from Rwanda’s goalkeeper. Deployed deeper in the second half, he helped keep things ticking in the middle of the park.
Moses Simon (FW) – 6.8
Simon was a lively figure in that Super Eagles attack and created lots of headaches for the Rwandan defence from his position on the left flank. The Paris FC forward could’ve also grabbed himself a goal but for the competence of Rwanda’s goalkeeper Fiacre Ntwari.
Ademola Lookman (FW) – 7.0
For a player without any football action coming into this game, Lookman looked sharp and dangerous in the Super Eagles attack. In his 75 minutes of action, he questioned the Rwandan backline multiple times but a combination of determined bodies and sharp saves ensured he exited the game without a goal.
Victor Osimhen (FW) – 6.0
Osimhen, as usual, was a dangerous presence in the box and the masked hitman found the back of the net in no time albeit, the offside flag went up. Sadly, his evening came to an early end due to injury with Cyriel Dessers replacing him in the 35th minute.
Substitutes
Cyriel Dessers (FW) – 6.0
Dessers replaced the injured Osimhen in the first half and gave a decent account of himself in his first competitive appearance for the Super Eagles. Although he didn’t really get a clear sight of goal, he offered the Nigerians a focal point upfront.
Tolu Arokodare (FW) – 7.0
The towering striker entered the fray just before the start of the second half and his introduction proved to be a masterstroke by Super Eagles boss Eric Chelle. Asides scoring the winning goal, he offered a great outlet upfront and gave the Rwandan defense a lot to think about.
Fisayo Dele-Bashiru (MF) – 5.5
Dele-Bashiru replaced Lookman for the final 15 minutes and helped the Super Eagles protect their precious lead. The Lazio man had a chance to double Nigeria’s lead but he blasted his shot way over the bar.
William Troost-Ekong (CB) –
Introduced with barely three minutes of normal time left to play, the Super Eagles skipper shored up the backline as Nigeria saw out the game.
Bright Osayi-Samuel (RB) –
Also introduced alongside Troost-Ekong to help the Super Eagles secure their all important three points.
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