Nigeria Vs Tunisia Post Match Analysis

 

GOALKEEPER

 

Stanley Nwabali: The Chippa United goalkeeper continued with his annoying antics, recklessly tackling a player after the referee’s whistle, an act that could have dire consequences on another day. He has now proven to us all he isn’t the ideal first choice goalkeeper and was probably over-shielded by the 3-5-2 formation of Jose Peseiro at the last AFCON.

 

Shaky, indecisiveness, inability to command the area to claim crosses, questionable decisions and tacky performances against Tunisia confirmed Okoye and Okonkwo of Wrexham(Championship side, England) needs to start getting invited to this team. His overall performance so far signifies he is the weakest link in that team, placing a huge question mark on our chances at the tournament.

 

 

DEFENCE

 

Bright Osayi-Samuel (6): The right-back slightly improved on his performance against Tanzania, providing more accurate passes into the final third and a joint-high three clearances. He was average on the offensive and slightly above average in his primary duties. Osayi-Samuel has had chances to step into Ola Aina’s big shoes, but with each game, we keep wanting Aina back on the team.

 

OluwaSemilogo Ajayi (7): Nigeria and Hull City’s gentle giant as expected was calm in possession, dealt with the aerial threats and helped in the build-up play. Semmy will also need to work on his pace for ground balls. Quite a surprise Ajayi who is typically neat with his tackles got a yellow card after a reckless challenge on the opponent. Other than those, he barely put a foot wrong.

 

Calvin Bassey (7.5): This “Beast” who is Bold, Rock Solid, and Fearless had a strong showing, marshalling the defence like an “oga at the top”. Ayrra Star surely had Bassey in mind when she sang “hot body”. Big Bassey helped Nigeria progress the ball and his physicality came in handy, putting that hot body on the line whilst others went cold like Ice Prince, sorry ice water….Fulham FC must be wearing shoulder pads right now as a proud club.

 

Bruno OnyeamachI (5) : The Olympiacos man contributed little going forward and did just a little bit better than Zaidu last night. Right now, we need an advert that reads… “Left Full Back Urgently Needed in Super Eagles” or do we have anyone on that team aside Bassey who can do a better job? We all know CB is unavailable to play that role with the current set-up.

 

MIDFIELD

 

Wilfred Ndidi (7) : The Besiktas man showed us how to inspire a team to victory last night by rising to the occasion via that strategically woven header that bounced off to confuse the Tunisian Goalkeeper. The indescribable joy he felt was evident in his celebration. First ever goal in the green and white after 70caps+ is surely one to celebrate. Aside this, he covered virtually every blade of grass in the first 70minutes, won the most ground duels, and made crucial recoveries. Interestingly, he also committed more fouls than any other player on the pitch, worthy of note is the one that led to the Tunis’ first goal.

 

Alex Iwobi (8.0): When you hear “Follow The Leader”, it is Alexander Chuka Iwobi we are referring to. This AFCON is surely his Oyster, and he is here to be the pearl, so get ready for the “Season Muvee” with Iwobi as the main actor! Finally, our coach has received the “expo” on how best to use Alex from Fulham FC and Bobo is thriving all 90minutes- a complete departure from the belaboured Iwobi of AFCON2023. Midfield Generalissimo was instrumental to Nigeria dictating the pace,  keeping the ball, and taking charge of the game from the blast whistle till the final call. Check out his through pass to Osimhen in the the 73rd minute which found Victor Osimhen on the edge of Tunisia's box, and how the resulting curly cut-back ball led to Ademola Lookman's goal, then you can raise 10 fingers in the air for Iwobi effortlessly.

 

Frank Onyeka (8.0): Tireless Frank - The Lifeline of Our Midfield and Easily the Soul of our Defensive Midfield!!! Admin at Brentford must be grinning from ear-to-ear knowing they have earned the bragging rights amongst admins of other clubs on the internet this weekend. Replacing him with Saamu was a genius chess move that gave the solidity we clamoured for at the midfield. Frank the tank has the energy of Wolverine and that sure came in handy, ensuring he constantly ran in the middle of the park, making it incredibly difficult for the Tunisians to control the midfield like they did against Uganda. His strength, ability to break play, improved ball carrying abilities and shots at goal makes a refined Frank not only unplayable but indispensable in a team that wants to win AFCON. Coach Eric Chelle has to put some respect on the name Frank Onyeka!!!

 

 

FORWARD

Akor Adams( 7.5) : Sevilla FC sure know the stuff he is made of and stops at nothing to celebrate him. The Sevilla forward easily did the dirty work in attack, filling up the spaces in the centre of the park to give Osimhen that freedom needed to thrive, he also created two good chances for Osimhen in the first half. Akor was unplayable and a constant thorn in the flesh of the Tunisians last night. How he fitted into the role of playing behind Osimhen effectively after players like Boniface, Arokodare, Dessers and others struggled speaks his football acumen. His skills-set are quietly screaming “This youngster is a dynamite” and it is only a mater of time before the obvious is clearly seen by spectators. Every good football analyst can tell he isn’t your usual striker.

 

Victor Osimhen (8): The Chief Tormentor of defenders and Galatasaray striker finally got off the mark with a brilliantly headed goal, registering an assist with his cut back for Lookman's strike. As expected, he was a menace for the Tunisian backline, beating them to the ball on many instances and ensuring his predatory skills unsettled the defence for Mola and Adams to make a minced meat of. Osi-Goal was unselfish again by laying that ball off for the superb match-winning goal by Ademola Lookman.

 

Ademola “Creative Architect” Lookman (9.5): Sublime, Awe-Inspiring, Brilliant, Aesthetically Pleasing, Nifty Touches, Crazy Kinematics…..The “Oga patapata of them all”,  Adebobo deserves the entire garden of flowers as a bouquet will be an insult to such a remarkable shift he put up against Tunisia. Without an iota of doubt, Lookman has rediscovered the red-hot form that crowned him 2024 APOTY. The competitive game time at his Bergamo-based club ensured he became match fit and sharp ahead of this tournament. After crafting the first two goals for his teammates from well-taken dead balls, he sustained equanimity, dribbling and releasing a powerful shot in the 18 yard to find the back of the net burying the chances of those Carthage, ensuring they didn’t fly back. The Atalanta forward now boasts of the most goal contributions (2G +2A) in Morocco since the start of AFCON 2025.