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
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