Simon, Chukwueze, Ekong, Awoniyi Shine For Super Eagles As Umar, Okoye Struggle Against Sudan

2 years ago
2 mins read
Prime Business Africa’s IZUCHUKWU OKOSI runs the rule on how the Super Eagles performed against the Falcons of Jediane in Garoua on Saturday evening which means that Austin Eguavoen’s team have qualified for the round of 16 stages after the 3-1 win in their second Group D game.
                     GOAL
          Maduka Okoye
The Sparta Rotterdam goalie had a decent game albeit he misjudged the flight of the ball in the second half which might have been costly. 6/10.
                                    DEFENCE
                                        Ola Aina
The right back committed a foul inside the Nigerian penalty box which VAR spotted for Sudan’s only goal from the penalty spot. Otherwise had good game. 6/10.
                          Zaidu Sanusi
The left back made one vital block in the second half and seemingly was more at ease defending against Sudan than he was against Egypt. 7/10.
Kenneth Omeruo
The experienced centre back was strong in the tackles and clearances. He was noticeably the one more laid back between the two central defenders. 7/10.
William Troost Ekong
More adventurous than his defensive partner as he joined the attackers. He brilliantly progressed the ball away from the Super Eagles half. 7/10.
MIDFIELD
Wilfred Ndidi
Gave away the ball a couple of times early in the game. Not really his best games for the team but he was still commanding enough despite those blips. 6/10.
Joe Aribo
The Glasgow Rangers midfielder kept possession ticking over and was forward thinking most times. The back passes were few and reasonably so. 7/10.
                      Kelechi Iheanacho
Thought he had assisted Alex Iwobi’s and Nigeria’s fourth goal but the effort was chalked off eventually. 7/10.
                              ATTACK
                  Samuel Chukwueze
Scored in the 3rd minute with a great low shot and was purposeful throughout the duration of his stay in the game. Subbed off in the 46th minute. 7.5/10.
Moses Simon
Officially the man of the match. He assisted Chukwueze’s goal and then scored from close range early in the second half. Simon is already a contender for the player of the group stages. 8/10.
Taiwo Awoniyi
The Union Berlin striker scored his first senior goal for Nigeria, his strength proving to be a headache for the Sudanese side. He did miss a few chances to score more goals. 7/10.
SUBSTITUTES
Alex Iwobi
Replaced Aribo. Had a goal ruled out but he improved generally as he effected the game better after a tepid start. 6/10.
Ahmed Musa
The substantive captain came on and linked up well with his teammates. His experience and inspiration were needed as his teammates ‘ energy level dropped. 6/10.
Sadiq Umar
Average performance by the Almeria striker.
Would not have been part of the team but for the absence of the trio of Victor Osimhen, Emmanuel Dennis and Odion Ighalo. Nonetheless a good striker. 5/10.
Kelechi Nwakali
Sprayed good short and long passes but he does need more game time to show his undoubted qualities. 5/10.
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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.

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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