Completesportsnigeria. com’s ADEBOYE AMOSU appraises the performance of the home-based Super Eagles in their 1-0 semi-final win against Desert Hawks of Sudan at the 2018 African Nations championship.
IKECHUKWU EZENWA 5/10
The Enyimba goalkeeper was forced off due to injury early in the game. He can only be rated with that heart-stopping save he made which inflicted the leg injury that forced him out of the match. He was replaced with Dele Ajiboye.
OSAS OKORO 6/10
The right-back didn’t venture forward much in the game but performed his defensive task well.
KALU ORJI 7/10
Shrugged off injury to make the starting line-up and posted an impressive performance. He was no doubt Nigeria’s best defender in the game.
STEPHEN EZE 6/10
The tall centre- back gave the ball away a couple of times in the first half but made some vital blocks in the second half.
IKOUEWEN UDOH 7/10
The young defender improved on his performance from the previous game. He was full of running and was solid at the back.
IFEANYI IFEANYI 6/10
Played in an unfamiliar defensive midfield role and did his job before he was sent off for a rash tackle on a Sudanese opponent in the 58th minute.
RABIU ALI 5/10
Kept his place in the team despite a number uninspiring performances. He struggled to make an impact, and was later replaced by Ibrahim Mustapha in the 72nd minute.
AUSTINE OLADAPO 7/10
The Enyimba midfielder proved a handful for the Sudanese all through the game. Oladapo was no doubt one of Nigeria’s best performers in the game.
DAYO OJO 7/10
He was lively all through, directing things in the midfield and also helped the defence following Ifeanyi Ifeanyi red card.
ANTHONY OKPOTU 5/10
Provided the assist for Gabriel Okechukwu’s goal, otherwise it was another disappointing performance from the forward.
GABRIEL OKECHUKWU 8/10
He was handed his first start of the competition after scoring the winner in the quarter- final against Angola. He justified his selection by scoring the decisive goal and could have scored more in the game.
SUBSTITUTES
OLADELE AJIBOYE 8/10
A heroic display from the substitute goalkeeper who made a number of vital saves to help his side win the game.
ABDULLAHI MUSA 4/10
Musa helped ward off the threats of the Sudanese players in what was his maiden appearance in the competition after replacing Anthony Okpotu.
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