Super Eagles v Uganda: Player ratings
Nigeria’s loss to Uganda on Wednesday in an international friendly at the Akwa Ibom International Stadium left a lot to be desired as the Super Eagles put out one their worst performances in recent times on home turf.
Farouk Miya’s late goal separated the two sides in a game where chances were few and far between. The Super Eagles did little to convince fans that lessons of the 2015 Africa Cup of Nation’s miss had been learnt.
9jafooty revisits the game and rates the players based on how they performed in the loss to the Cranes of Uganda.
Vincent Enyeama
Was called upon twice in the game and he responded well. Can't be faulted for Farouk Miya's goal as his defenders left him exposed.
Unfortunately for the Lille OSC man, he conceded on his 100th cap. Surely sour grapes wasn't what he expected on such an occasion on his home town turf.
Rating: 7.0
Chima Akas
Alongside Nelson Ogbonnaya, Akas were the only home based players who started the game before being substituted by Godfrey Oboabona.
Like a lot of others, the Sharks defender started quite well but couldn't sustain the tempo. He was caught of of position severally and showed some frayed nerves on his home debut.
Not entirely convinced he is an adequate replacement for Elderson Echiejile and Juwon Oshaniwa who were dropped for the Uganda and South Africa.
Rating: 5.0
Leon Balogun: Best player on the Nigerian side by a mile and a half. Winning only his second cap,
Balogun played like a veteran until he was substituted in the second half.
Assured in the tackle and showing composure for some in only his second game for Nigeria, Balogun has shown a lot of promise
The SV Darmstadt defender is shoe in for that problematic right back position considering Efe
Ambrose, who usually man's that area wasn't invited for the latest series of friendlies.
Rating: 8.5
Nelson Ogbonnaya
The Heartland defender had a yo-yo game against the Cranes of Uganda but has done well to hold a place down in the team.
He was excellent in aerial challenges throughout the game but needs to work on his tackling and temperament which showed when he picked up a needless booking.
One of the promising home based players in the squad who has seen his stock grow since his debut against the Ivory Coast in January.
Rating: 6.0
Kenneth Omerou
The Middlesbrough man started the game well but faded away in the second half allowing the Ugandans to make hay in Nigeria's defensive areas.
He needs to work on his fitness as Ugandan striker Geoffrey Massa took him to the cleaners on several occasions.
Rating: 5.0
Ogenyi Onazi
Flashes of brilliance in patches but did nothing to help the cause. Sloppy in possession and gave away a lot of wayward passes.
Could have done a lot better as one of the senior players in a relative young side put out by Amokachi.
Rating: 5.0
Hope Akpan:
Did nothing spectacular in the game but was assured in possession and showed a lot of confidence on the ball. One of the better performers in an a night to forget for Nigeria.
He, alongside Ogenyi Onazi and Steve Ukoh, all defensive midfielders, were is in a quagmire as to sits or moves in the 4-3-3 formation put out by Amokachi.
Akpan kept it simple and showed he can play a part in the Super Eagles as the coaches continue to tinker with the team
Rating: 6.0
Ahmed Musa
He started the game like a house on fire and was one of the Eagles best performers in the first half but fizzled out later on.
Musa had a couple of chances but fluffed his lines on those occasions. Once again, his deliveries at set pieces lacked conviction. He surely needs to work on his crossing.
His pace, which should be his biggest asset is turning out to be his nemesis. The Eagles will do well to find his best position on the field, maybe play him more centrally like he does for his club CSKA Moscow
Rating: 6.0
Anthony Ujah: The FC Cologne striker was brought back to the team since 2013 Confederations Cup after banging in the goals for the Bundesliga side, but he did little to convince once again.
He started in attack alongside Odion Ighalo and Ahmed Musa is a triad that failed to blossom throughout the game.
He needs to make use of his chances in the national team when he gets them.
Rating:5.0
Odion Ighalo: Part of the three pong attack that started the game but didn't seem to be able to produce the goals for the Eagles.
He showed so silky skills especially in the first half and probably did himself some favour with his showing after he got praise from the technical crew after the game.
His positioning was quite impressive and he wasn't afraid to run at the Ugandan defence when he had the opportunity. Not a bad debut for the Watford man.
Rating: 6.0
Steve Ukoh: The midfielder did all the basic things right without being spectacular in any way. Plus is, he was willing to rub the green for the cause, something that was missing from a lot of the players on game day.
He switched to three different positions during the course of the game and gave his all-albeit it wasn't good enough to get the win.
Made a couple of decent tackles in the middle and may just be a good addition to the mix.
Rating: 6.0
Moses Simon: The 19 year old made his international debut against the Ugandans coming on as a second half substitute and did pretty well.
He injected more pace and bite to a dour Super Eagles attack and showed no fear at all, taking on defenders at will.
A bit rough on the edges but the AA Gent player is surely a quality addition to the Super Eagles pool. He is one for the future.
Rating: 6.5
Akeem Latifu: A debut to forget for the Aaeslund defender who also came into the game as a substitute. He looked lost towards the tail end of the game giving away unnecessary fouls and was suspect in his position.
Latifu gave up the free-kick that led to the Ugandan goal and the defender saw the ball deflect off his body past Enyeama for Farouk Miya's goal.
Rating: 4.0
Aaron Samuel: The bulky forward was introduced in the second half of the game and showed some flashes of brilliance.
Used his physique quite well albeit he couldn't get a goal. Quality alternative in the Super Eagles team.
Rating: 5.0
Showed hunger and purpose when he came on as second half substitute and should be able to get a starters shirt in the next game against South Africa
Rating: 5.0
Godfrey Oboabona: Didn't do much to get any rating
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