Post Match Analysis And Players Rating For The Nigeria 🇳🇬 Vs Benin Republic Match:

GOALKEEPING:🧤
🇳🇬Stanley Nwabali: A bit better than the match against Lesotho. He was more disciplined with ball handling though there is still room for improvement. He still showed flashes of arrogance which didn't go unnoticed. He still needs that stiff competition. 5️⃣.0️⃣

DEFENCE: 🪖

🇳🇬Benjamin Fredrick: Unplayable! Dynamic!! Efficient!!! Effective!!!!

This young man is PURE JOY to behold. Disciplined to the core; you can't get behind him, he will chase you down and mark you out! His strenght on the ball, bravery and fighting spirit ensures he guards his ball jealously. He has won our hearts, won a place as Ola Aina's deputy and a sure place as Centre-Back.....
Gash! Benjamin is a Wonder-Kid🔥🔥9️⃣.0️⃣

🇳🇬Calvin Bassey:

Faith, Hope, Works.....Give it to 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....His statistics are as intimidating as his physique.

Calvin didn't dissapoint and did a beautiful job bringing his A++ game as expected.

The B in Bassey is B•E•A•S•T8️⃣.0️⃣

🇳🇬Oluwasemilogo Ajayi:
Strong with aerial duels, excellent on the ground, unassuming, cool, calm and collected. Semilogo helped the team maintain balance at the center, kept the back ship sailing without allowing the storm as much as ruffle its ride.
Steely Performance for a man who has battled three hamstring injuries back to back and hasn't kicked club football since he got back to match fitness 8️⃣.0️⃣

🇳🇬Zaidu Sanusi
He fought for the shirt, got it and showed he is ready to hold on to it. He sure woke Bruno Onyemaechi from his slumber. Sanusi brought that club form to Uyo 7️⃣.5️⃣

MIDFIELD🥅

🇳🇬Alexander Iwobi:
Alex was so busy interpreting the assignment he has proven to understand.
Gifted with sharp passes, beautiful footwork and unpredictability, Alex did a beautiful job against Benin Republic by finding the right spaces to set the Forwards up and was tireless with his runs at the opponents' defence.

He remains the brainbox of our midfield and key player in that team. 8️⃣.0️⃣

🇳🇬Wilfred Ndidi:
Thank you for clearing my doubts Big Wilf! You rose above the criticism and doubts to deliver one of your best games ever in the green and white.

Ndidi marshalled the midfield beautifully well and dictated pace easily. He also covered up for the back 4 to show he is ready to go for the World Cup. 7️⃣.5️⃣

FORWARDS:⚽️

🇳🇬Victor Osimhen:
Anywhere you see the talisman, Osimhen, please buy him a bottle of wine on my behalf and send me the bill.

As predicted, he practically laid his life on that pitch and scored three superb goals to clear the doubts of Gernot Rohr and his men.

As the soul of our attack, he absolutely showed class and scored goals that speaks to his World Class Quality.

A predator per excellence, bullish by all standards, beast of a player. Call him a Hunter, Shark, Wolf -he was the weapon fashioned against Republic of Benin and their fans.

He sure somehow knows how to rally round, get into the head of his colleagues, ginger them to step up and even when spent and substituted, he can't keep calm - he will always be at the sidelines, deputizing for Eric Chelle.

Osimhen has redefined Football Patriotism💥💥💥9️⃣.9️⃣

🇳🇬Akor Jerome Adams:
Akor peaked at the perfect time and simply replicated club form back home. His first start for the senior National Team and showed great understanding with Osimhen upfront. He was also an extra body in the midfield, dropping deep to help them sustain momentum.7️⃣.5️⃣

🇳🇬Moses Simon:
Blunt first half but Moses woke up in the second half and reminded us why he is a senior and effective player in the team. Glad he rose to the occasion which led to two beautiful assists and most important, the second assist which let to the goal that took us straight into the playoffs as number 4.
7️⃣.0️⃣

 

Samuel Chukwueze
Saamu was very intentional, had beautiful + meaningful runs that gave the needed bite and brought the sense of urgency we needed to carry the day. It wasn't just a good day at the office for Chukwueze, it was a spectacular one that reminded us of  the Saamu we knew six years ago. Two Potent deliveries that turned out to be assists to his  friend and brother from U-17days to ensure we went into the half time with two solid goals. Dear Saamu, please keep this momentum up, we will need it at the playoffs.8️⃣.5️⃣

 

Substitutes

Olakunle Olusegun: 4.5

 

Olusegun came in for injured Chukwueze in the game but did not make enough impact. Aside the energy, there was nothing to show he could deputize for Saamu. He was untidy on the ball, and his crosses were mostly wayward.

 

Frank Onyeka: 7.5

The Brentford midfielder replaced Akor Adams in the 74th minute, and this time showed flashes of the 'ruthless' frank we saw at AFCON

His thunderous strike and stylish finish in stoppage time sent us straight into the playoffs by edging out the Burkinabè. By the way, that was the second goal of "The Tank" in the green and white colours.  

 

 

Bruno Onyeamachi: 6.0

Bruno replaced Zaidu, and straightaway showed workings to prove he is in for a fight to reclaim his shirt. 
He maintained the tempo Zaidu set and nearly got an assist by delivering a beautiful ball near post, which Osimhen headed into Benin’s goalkeeper. 

 

Tolu Arokodare 4.5

The Wolverhampton Wanderers forward kept things under close control when he replaced Victor Osimhen in the 81st minute. He cold have done better with his hold up plays though.

 

Terem Moffi 6.0

 OGC's Moffi came with a sense of urgency and ensured we kept pressing till Frank's Goal came.