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Nigeria player ratings v Guinea Bissau: Kenneth Omeruo impresses

Kenneth Omeruo took William Troost-Ekong’s place in the Nigeria starting XI for the final group game against Guinea Bissau. The Kasimpasa defender stood out for Jose Peseiro’s team in the game, which ended 1-0 in Nigeria’s favour.

Uwem Uko assessed Nigeria players after the match

PLAYER RATING

Guinea-Bissau vs NIGERIA

Stanley Nwabali
The Chippa United safe hands made five saves — four more than his opposite number, and two more than in the previous game. His best save came in the 81st minute, where he dived to parry away a Fali Cande’s dangerous long-range freekick. He won two ground duels and made 29 accurate passes — 14 more than in the previous game. 6.5/10

Bright Osayi-Samuel
Starred for 80 minutes before going off for Sanusi Zaidu. Made some decent passes, but could only manage a pass into the final third. His best chance going forward came in the 20th minute when he picked up a loose ball on the right, but was stopped in the box before he could muster an attempt. 6.5/10

Ola Aina
Went all-in for five duels and won two, one of which earned the team the first free-kick of the game. Was involved in the build-up to the Nigeria goal — picking out Moses Simon with a delightful headed pass. Ran out energy after working really hard for the team and had to be subbed late on. 7/10

Semi Ajayi
Won three of the six ground duels and just one of the four aerial duels he contested.
He made the least touches among the back three (46), — though 16 touches better than the previous game. Misplaced a pass at the back in the sixth minute but, the opponent failed to make most of it, as Nwabili came to the rescue with a timely save. Booked. 5.5/10

Kenneth Omeruo
Made his first start of the tournament and captained the team. Made six clearances, and came to the team’s rescue by warding off a Guinea Bissau player following a quick play after the cooling break in the first half.
Initiated the move that led to the only goal of the game — delivering a lofty pass to Aina, who found Simon with a nice headed pass. 7/10

Calvin Bassey
Was impressive once again, as he made the most tackles in the game (4) for a second consecutive appearances. Launched attacks quite often. Was busy all evening. 8/10

Samuel Chukwueze
Largely ineffective. Had only one dribbling success. Failed to register a shot on target. Had his best opportunity in the 28th minute, following a pass from Bright Osayi-Samuel, but his left-footed shot got blocked. In the second half, he tried setting up Frank Onyeka in the final third, but the Brentford man had his attempt blocked. 4/10

Joe Aribo
Made his first start of the tournament. Failed to contest any aerial duels in his 63-minute appearance, but delivered six passes into the final third – only Aina and Bassey delivered more (8) . Should have done better with a 21st-minute opportunity — could only fire tamely at Jonas Mendes from just outside the box, following a nice cutback from Victor Osimhen. Failed to sparkle. 3/10

Victor Osimhen could not get his headers on target

Victor Osimhen
Caught offside three times.
Should have done better with his headers. He has to improve his finishing. Handled the ball in the build-up to Zaidu Sanusi’s goal, which was chalked off. 4.5/10

Frank Onyeka
Lost most of his ground duels. Made only three recoveries — a stark deviation from his performance against Cote d’Ivoire, where made the most recoveries (9). Booked. 4.5/10

Moses Simon
Attempted to dribble past his opponent on five occasions — the most by any player — but was successful only once. He lost possession 20 times — an average possession loss every five minutes of play — and failed to convert a one-on-one chance nine minutes into the second half. Sent in a dangerous-looking ball, which Opa Sangante diverted into his own net. Should be motivated ahead of the next match after winning the tie’s Player of the Match award. 5/10

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