Super Eagles Player Ratings Vs Ukraine : Aribo Dynamic; Iwobi, Uzoho Shine; Ekong Solid; Chukwueze Bright; Osimhen Physical Presence
Published: September 10, 2019It was a great game for Nigeria supporters to watch as the Super Eagles were held to a 2-2 draw by Ukraine in Dnipro Tuesday night in an entertaining international friendly.
Allnigeriasoccer.com's Izuchukwu Okosi rates the performances of the players.
The Starters
Goalkeeper
Francis Uzoho : This is undoubtedly Francis Uzoho's best match for Nigeria as he stopped so many goal bound shots that came his way.
The youngster was in full command of his area and the goals he conceded were no fault of his. 8/10.
Defenders
Ola Aina : The right back was comfortable in defence although was sometimes caught out of position which the Ukrainians sought to exploit. 6/10.
Jamilu Collins : The Paderborn left back had to contend with West Ham United's Andriy Yarmolenko but nonetheless asserted himself well in the first half. However the hosts carved open a chance from his position in the second stanza as Oleksandr Zinchenko succeeded where Yarmolenko failed. 6/10.
Semi Ajayi : Delighted and frustrated in equal measures. The versatile West Brom man made some vital clearances but was also guilty of gifting away the ball a few times. 6/10.
William Troost Ekong : The captain of the Eagles on the night. Mopped up any danger but went off with a thigh injury. Hopefully it won't be a serious setback. 7/10.
Midfielders
Oghenekaro Etebo : The Stoke City star was the deep lying midfield operator who distributed the ball and broke up plays commendably. 7/10.
Joe Aribo : What a debut. Well taken goal, good link up plays and defensive support as one of the double pivots. Surely would play in a competitive game for Nigeria soon. 7.5/10.
Alex Iwobi : What a performance by Iwobi on the night. He assisted Aribo's goal with a crisp cross though kudos also goes to Samuel Kalu who found him with a pass.
Was at his creative best but missed a good chance to score as his shot from the edge of the Ukrainian box early in the second half fizzled out. 8/10.
Attackers
Samuel Kalu : The Bordeaux forward tormented the hosts. The assist by Iwobi came from his industry. He dribbled past three players after a great turn. He however fired a shot wide in the second half to deny himself a much deserved goal. 7.5/10.
Samuel Chukwueze : The Villarreal forward was bright and deadly from the right flank as usual. He was a menace, sometimes drifting inward to overload the midfield and thus allowing Aina to dart forward from the right flank. 7.5/10.
Victor Osimhen : The Lille striker was very keen to impress as the audition for who succeeds Odion Ighalo as Nigeria's number 9 has begun.
Osimhen chased and harried the Ukrainian defenders. He found himself in good positions but was not adequately supported in attack. 6.5/10.
The Substitutes
Anderson Esiti : Replaced Alex Iwobi and made a vital block with his first touch of the ball. Was a steely presence in the midfield and thankfully his foul in Konoplyanka was not punished in the 90th minute with a freekick. 5/10.
Moses Simon : Came off the bench in the second half. Good link up plays but not enough time to impact the game. 6/10.
Dennis Bonaventure : A second half entrant. Had a glorious chance to add to the score sheet but his placed shot was saved by Andriy Lenin. 4.5/10.
Josh Maja : Not enough time to impact the game but good thing he witnessed a great game by the Nigerian teammates. He will pick Nigeria over England surely now. N/A.
Chidozie Awaziem : Replaced the injured Troost-Ekong three minutes to the end of the game. N/A
Izuchukwu Okosi
Photo Credit : ua-football.com
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