Players Rating And Post Match Analysis: Lesotho Vs Nigeria

GOALKEEPING:🧤

 

🇳🇬Stanley Nwabali: Absolutely a vote of NO confidence from Nigerians for all the reasons already stated and more. He has gotten too comfortable and effortlessly complacent that we now get jittery when the ball is around his yard due to his propensity for school boy errors. His arrogance and cocky attitude makes it worse, not to talk of how he is always looking for a scape goat instead of taking responsibility. We have had enough and the earlier we start looking for a replacement, the better for us all.3️⃣.5️⃣

 

DEFENCE: 🪖 

 

🇳🇬Benjamin Fredrick: This is one young man we have to Thank for making a case for younger, hungrier, youthful and solid players who are scattered all over the World, honing their skills and working tirelessly for their chance. He is a huge blessing that came at the nick of time. The reason we didn't miss Ola Aina was because he did a beautiful job as a right back despite being a natural Centre-Back. He has won our hearts and we can only ask for more of his type.8️⃣.5️⃣

 

🇳🇬Calvin Bassey:

 

The audacity to believe, the passion to serve, the diligence that speaks volume, the work that goes into his crafts and statistics that makes your heart leap for joy, Calvin has helped me believe that some of the players(maybe not all) are ready to shed tears, sweat and blood to be at the 2026 World Cup. He didn't dissapoint and did a beautiful job of covering up for his colleagues who went to chase glory upfront. 8️⃣.0️⃣

 

🇳🇬William Troost-Ekong:

 

Captain Fantastic tried to redeem his image by scoring from the spot kick to restore the hopes of 3points and keep us in contention. He was a bit jittery and undecided which could be likened to the criticism he had faced since his back to back errors cost us 4 points. He will need to be sharper against Benin Republic on Tuesday.6️⃣.5️⃣

 

🇳🇬Bruno Onyemaechi: 

 

Bruno was a bit jittery and was caught out of position a couple of times, putting unnecessary pressure on the defence, thanks to Bassey who covered up for him pretty well.6️⃣.5️⃣

 

MIDFIELD🥅

 

🇳🇬Alexander Iwobi: 

 

Gifted with sharp passes, beautiful footwork and unpredictability, Alex did a beautiful job against Lesotho each time he was "freed" by the DM to help create magic at the midfield. If we want to get 💯from this gifted player, the DM must do their primary job of keeping things tidy and stay closer to the defenders, to avoid Alex having to drop deep and cover up for them. His job is not as hard as our DM made it look towards the end of first half. He remains a key player in that team. 8️⃣.0️⃣

 

🇳🇬Wilfred Ndidi:

 

An average performance for Ndidi whose consistent overlapping runs kept Iwobi from doing the yeoman job we needed every single minute of the game. I still prefer him to see out games and not start.6️⃣.0️⃣

 

FORWARDS:⚽️

 

🇳🇬Victor Osimhen: 

 

He is no doubt the soul of out attack and absolutely showed class each time he was called upon. Despite being marked by 3 defenders each time, he found a way to showcase his predatory skills. But for the woodwork, he could have registered two goals. He was very unselfish and prove again that less is more whilst showing us he can't wait to be at his first ever World Cup. His assist to Akor Adams which led to the second goal tells us Victor thrives either as a goal scorer or one to make things happen for the goalscorer. Such a beautiful talent.8️⃣.5️⃣

 

🇳🇬Ademola Lookman:

He obviously hasn't fully shaken off the trauma of his transfer saga all summer and as such, was very vulnerable on the night. Pathetic he fell for the bait of the Lesotho guy who was the one that fouled Lookman but quickly turned the table against our APOTY. 

Aside this, he had brilliant flashes and was dangerous going forward. Nice footwork and incredibly enviable first touches that speaks to his quality anytime. It's sad he will be missing the last and very crucial game against Republic of Benin on Tuesday.7️⃣.5️⃣

 

🇳🇬Tolu Arokodare:

 

Tolu was caught out of position sometimes and flat footed some other times. The youngster who earned his starting shirt looked a bit of a shadow of the intimidating giant we had come to know him for. I will take it as a bad day at the office. Come back better TEA 🍵 6️⃣.5️⃣

 

🇳🇬Moses Simon:

 

But for his work rate and ability to support defenders, Moses Simon is better starting from the bench as he has consistently shown us. Today, he was just okay though we have to Thank him for that ball that led to the Lesotho player gifting us a spot kick. 7️⃣.0️⃣

 

Substitutions

 

🇳🇬Akor Jerome Adams: 

I had to write his full name to remind us he is here to stay! Injury troubles, settling down in a new club and all the setbacks he has had overcome to be here today, Adams is no doubt a fighter. He peaked at the perfect time and simply replicated club form against Lesotho.

First call up and he showed up BIG TIME. He clearly showed us we still have that ability to score in 1v1 situation by that clinical finish. No drama, just his feet doing the talking. The kind of young players we need now in Super Eagles. This young man and Fredrick have made a solid case for Ebenezer Akinsanmiro in the midfield.8️⃣.0️⃣

 

🇳🇬Zaidu Sanusi:

Sanusi showed us he is ready to bench Bruno as early as the next match. Both aren't Fantastic with their final third balls but Zaidu for sure brings spark at the left side without being culpable in his primary duties.

 

🇳🇬Semilogo Ajayi:

Came to help solidify the defence after the cheap goal we conceded and we felt the impact of this gentle giant.

 

🇳🇬Samuel Chukwueze 

Saamu showed us flashes of what he is capable of doing on a good day. He should start the game against Benin Republic to give us that bite on the right flank.