Izuchukwu OkosiNigeria’s U-20 men’s national team, Flying Eagles on Monday reached the semifinals of the CAF U-20 Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt with a 3-1 win over defending champions Senegal after a 0-0 draw in 90 minutes and ultimately qualified for the 2025 FIFA U-20 World Cup to hold in Chile layer in September.
IZUCHUKWU OKOSI presents the players’ ratings as Aliyu Zubairu’s side gun for a record 8th AFCON trophy.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelGoalkeeper: Ifeanyi Harcourt
Harcourt was massive in goal as he made elastic saved to help the Eagles trudge to extra time. The keeper then saved two kicks in the shootout. 9.5//10. The Man of the Match.
Defender: Adamu Maigari
The full back was defensively astute albeit he offered little in supporting the attack.
At least he executed his primarily duties efficiently. 6/10.
Defender: Odinaka Okoro
Announced himself big-time in the tournament having made the best XI of the group stage.
Today, the versatile youngster did not produce his best games but was relatively okay. 6.5/10.
Defender: Daniel Bameyi
The captain took no prisoners although he had a sloppy moment in the course of the game.7/10.
Defender: Emmanuel Chukwu
Almost marred an otherwise good game with a bad moment.
Scored one of the penalty kicks. 6/10.
Midfielder: Israel Ayuma
The defensive midfielder was impressive as he shielded the backline superbly.
Ayuma came to the rescue of Emmanuel Chukwu as he swept up when the team was in danger of conceding in 90 minutes. 7.5/10.
Midfielder: Olalekan Alabi
Had a subdued afternoon as the first half wore on and could not effect the game as required. Subbed off in the second half. 6/10.
Divine Uche Oliseh
The flamboyant midfielder was the glue that held the midfield and attack together.
Suffered a head injury and was substituted. 7/10.
Attacker: Clinton Japhet
Was not one of Nigeria’s best performers on the day.
The forward could not get his markers in regulation time. 5.5/10.
Attacker: Kparobo Arierhi
The striker who was the starman at the WAFU Zone B U-20 tournament for Nigeria was lively throughout the duration of the game but could not find the net in normal time. 6.5/10.
Attacker: Bidemi Amole
Amole missed a gilt-edged chance in the first half and was subbed off at half time.
5/10.
The Substitutes
Midfielder: Precious Benjamin
The midfielder came into the game from the subs bench eager to make an impression. Had a half volley saved but scored one of the penalty kicks. 6/10.
Attacker: Auwal Ibrahim
The forward who scored one of the goals in the 5-0 drubbing of Tunisia could not replicate the form on Monday. 6/10.
Attacker: Simon Cletus
The former U-17 youngster was introduced late into the game to effect any meaningful impact. 4/10.
Attacker: Tahir Maigana
The winger saw a shot saved by the Senegal keeper as his nimbleness was a source of worry for Senegal. 6/10.
Defender: Rickson Mendos
The cameo appearance late on was not enough to make a any significant impact. N/A.
Izuchukwu Okosi is a Nigerian sports and entertainment journalist with two decades of experience in the media industry having begun his media journey in 2002 as an intern at Mundial Sports International (MSI) and Africa Independent Television (AIT), owners of Daar Communications Plc.
