Player Rating: Nigeria vs Uruguay
Again, Super Eagles’ attacking inefficiency and Uruguayan defenders’ tactical discipline saw Nigeria technically crashing out of Confederation Cup. The Eagles, who were dominated in the opening minutes of the game would later go on to give a good account of themselves in the match with the South American champions.
How they played:
1, Enyeama: Although the goals were hardly his fault, the manner he concedes in almost every match for Nigeria (including against Super minnows like Tahiti, Namibia, Malawi, Kenya) calls to question his continued claim to Nigeria’s goal post. He can do better. 5/10
2, Echiejile: He could have also done better with his overlapping runs. Overlapping to initiate attack and losing final ball is not exactly the hallmark of a modern left back. If he knows he can’t do that, he should have stayed at the back jejely. Average performance. 5/10
3, Oboabona: Decent showing for an home-based against world class strikers, although not his best day. Less active than his defence partner. 5.5/10
4, Omeruo: Coming of age. A good showing against one of the strongest attack line in the world. He intercepted ball many times. He was helpless in Forlan’s goal, although I believe he could have charged the former Man U striker better. 7/10
5, Ambrose: Like his left side partner, his recovery rate when he overlaps is poor, exposing the central defenders. He did decently to assist the attack team though, especially when the wingers were fumbling. 5.5/10
6, Ogude: His raw tackles continued and almost got a card. After that, he was hardly seen. He is not able to take his chance to prove himself in the golden absence of his competitor, Onazi. 4/10
7, Ogu: Assisted Mikel in the midfield and made it possible for the Chelsea man to make daring moves forward. He later went into oblivion though. 6/10
8, Mikel: Easily Nigeria’s best player on the field. He showed his class, proved the difference between a Chelsea first team player and backwater league players. He was outstanding, commanded the midfield, despite the Uruguayans having more men in the midfield. What’s more, he scored world class goal. His lowpoint was a couple of critical indecision in the second half. 8/10
9, Oduamadi: Hacked down within first twenty minutes. Struggled as he did, he couldn’t make an impact in the game again. Unfortunately, those were the first minutes of the game the South Americans dominated the game. Prabably he could have converted, were he to be around when Nigeria began creating chances. 4/10
10, Ideye: He continues to disappoint those of us that have confidence in his ability, and prove critics right. For someone that scored 17 league goals in Ukraine this season, it was a bad outing. A golden chance he saw in the second half was also lost when he was not able to guide the ball well for the crucial turning. 3/10
11, Musa: Again, all run, no substance. His final ball remained poor. Bad crosses. Worse, he gave away ball that resulted in the second goal. 3/10
SUBS
12, BABATUNDE: Thrown into the fray for injured Oduamadi, and disappointed big time. I wonder how Keshi selected someone that plays in one backwater club in Ukraine that scored 2 goals in 44 matches. He doesn’t have the quality – maybe yet – to be a Super Eagles player. 3/10
13, AKPALA: I still wonder why Keshi invited this guy. He scored just one goal for Werder Bremen in Bundesliga last season and made fringe appearances. Yes, he used to prolific in Belgium, but football is about form. Bad decision on Keshi’s part. 3/10
14, Mba: Keshi threw in a midfielder with eye for goal for a good, but not-known-for-scoring Ogu. He needed an equalizer. But it was too little too late. The ‘elephant killer’ didn’t make much impact. 3.5/10
COACH: His attackers once again failed him. I’m not sure he made the right decision throwing Babatunde into the game that early. 4/10
OVERALL NEGATIVE: Super Eagles need sharp attackers. All their recent goals were scored by wingers, midfielders and even defenders (Mikel, Oboabona, Echiejile, Oduamadi and Musa). No reliable top 9 yet. I still think Martins and the Uche brothers are still relevant to this team.
OVERALL POSITIVE: I think we expected too much from this team and we are impatient. The team is still under construction and these boys are still young. We also forget that Uruguay are champions in a continent that has Brazil and Argentina. What’s more, Forlan, Suarez and Cavani are no small players in world football. Not forgetting others players from Athletico Madrid, Liverpool etc. And this is a team we expected our own Ukraine and Belgian leagues players to defeat. It was a decent showing in my opinion.
