Nigeria 1-0 Tunisia: Ighalo ranks high despite injury
It was not a vintage final performance from the Super Eagles at the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) but they did enough to beat the Carthage Eagles of Tunisia 1-0 in the third place match.
Shanghai Shenhua forward, Odion Ighalo scored Nigeria’s winning goal before going off injured in the first half. SportingLife.ng delivers an unbiased x-ray of the Eagles’ bronze-winning performance.
Francis Uzoho
He is one of the 20 debutants Gernot Rohr took to AFCON. The Deportivo La Coruña goalkeeper made his debut and impressed with a strong showing. 6/10
Ola Aina
The absence of Chidozie Awaziem due to suspension allowed Rohr draft the Torino star into right back and he held his own. 6/10
Jamilu Collins
He was the busier of the full backs and made some strong tackles. Also, he provided the cross that led to Ighalo’s goal. 5.5
Kenneth Omeruo
He was solid and made interceptions like a boss. 7/10
William Troost-Ekong
The Udinese man was calm and showed good understanding with Omeruo. 7/10
Oghenekaro Etebo
The Stoke midfielder escaped what could’ve been a bad injury as he helped quell the threats of the Tunisians. 6/10.
Wilfred Ndidi
The Leicester City midfielder gave away a foul close to the Eagles 18-yard box just like he did against Algeria and wasn’t as solid as usual. 5/10.
Alex Iwobi
Iwobi gave possession away too many times and did not have a major impact. It wasn’t his best game. 4.5/10.
Ahmed Musa
Again, full of running but lacks the final ball. He was ineffective. 4/10
Samuel Chukwueze
The Villarreal sensation had a long range shot saved but wasn’t dangerous enough to kill the game for Nigeria. 6/10.
Odion Ighalo
Ighalo scored his fifth goal of the tournament and showed desire to win the topscorer gong but injury forced him to be substituted at the stroke of half-time. 6.5/10.
Substitutes
Victor Osimhen
The former Golden Eaglets striker replaced Ighalo and added pace to the attack. 4/10.
Moses Simon
The Levante winger replaced Ahmed Musa but had no major impact on the game. 3/10.
Samuel Kalu
He came on and tested the goalkeeper with two brilliant freekicks which were both saved but it was enough to give him a high rating. 6/10.