Izuchukwu Okosi
The Super Eagles laboured to a nervy 2-1 win against Sierra Leone in Thursday’s 2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier at the MKO Abiola stadium Abuja.
Prime Business Africa‘s Senior Correspondent IZUCHUKWU OKOSI here presents the player ratings after 90 minutes.
Francis Uzoho (GK)
Uzoho was let down by his defenders, terribly left exposed for Sierra Leone’s goal scored by Jonathan Marsey in the 11th minute. Made a few decent saves. 6/10.
Ola Aina (RB)
Ola Aina had a poor game by his standards in terms of defending but going forward he was a good outlet. Provided the cross that created the second goal. 6/10.
Calvin Bassey (LB)
Carved open the resolute Sierra Leonean defence with some delightful crosses. Defensively astute. 7/10.
William Troost Ekong (CB)
The captain was subbed off in the second half for injury. He made some vital clearances and was on hand to help the average Aina on the evening. 6/10.
Semi Ajayi (CB)
The West Brom towering defender had a game of two halves: a poor first half and a better second one. 6/10.
Joe Aribo (CAM)
Lost a couple of possessions and did not offer much in terms of defending. He however did win a few free kicks for the team. 5/10.
Alex Iwobi (CAM)
Capped a great game with a superb goal as he guided the ball into the low right corner. Great passes. His vision was key in the win. 8/10.
Moses Simon (LW)
The Nantes winger assisted the two goals scored by Alex Iwobi and Victor Osimhen in Abuja. Should have scored a goal himself before the half time break but was slow in reacting to the opportunity. 7/10.
Samuel Chukwueze (RW)
Missed a great chance to score in front of goal otherwise he had a very good game. 7/10.
Umar Sadiq (FWD)
The beanpole striker was full of industry but his end product needed better quality. Replaced by Oghenekaro Etebo. 5/10.
Victor Osimhen (FWD)
The Napoli striker scored the second goal and even threatened to add to that towards the end of the game before he was replaced. 8/10.
Substitutes
Oghenekaro Etebo
Booked after he came on for a foul on Alhassan Koroma. Helped to shore up things defensively. 4/10.
Ademola Lookman
Almost scored with his first touch of the ball. 4/10
Shehu Abdullahi
Replaced Ola Aina. Did not see much of the ball. 2/10.
Kenneth Omeruo
Took the captain’s armband when Troost Ekong. Made one hasty clearance that could have been costly. 3/10.
Terem Moffi
Did not do enough to be rated highly in the few minutes he played. 3/10.
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.
In October 2004, Okosi joined Complete Communications Limited, publishers of Complete Sports newspaper and Complete Football magazine as a reporter and later script writer for the Complete Sports studio.
He worked there for 13 years until October 2017.
Okosi also worked various times as Correspondent, Content creator and Editor at Sports Market International Magazine, Opera News, All Nigeria Soccer Media and Iconic Media Watch.
He also undertook freelance writing gigs for some local and international organizations.
Okosi is a member of the Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN), Association of Movie Producers (AMP), Association of Voiceover Artistes of Nigeria (AVOA), Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) and Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ).
He has been part of cast in some Nollywood movies and radio dramas including Blood Money 2, Scores To Settle, Dead End 2, Another Campus Tale and Battle Line.
Aside mainstream media and the entertainment industry, he has interests in scouting/unearthing of talents in the sports and creative sectors, exports business and property development.
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