National Teams
Nigeria 2-0 Cameroon: How Super Eagles players fared in win over Indomitable Lions
By Wale Mustapha
A goal in each half from Ademola Lookman helped Nigeria to progress to the quarterfinal of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, following a 2-0 Round of 16 victory against Cameroon.
The triumph saw the Super Eagles extend their unbeaten streak against the Indomitable Lions in five successive competitive matches.
The interesting encounter decided at the Felix Houphet Boigney Stadium in Abidjan saw the three-time Afcon champions outrightly batter the five-time winners from Central Africa.
Jose Peseiro’s men were far better than their rivals in all areas which hand them a convincing victory as Nigeriafootball.ng run the rule on how Super Eagles’ players performed in the encounter.
Stanley Nwabali – 7/10
He was in control of his goal area, taking good care of the cross and aerial balls. Unfortunately, he couldn’t see to the end of the game due to injury.
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Semi Ajayi – 7/10
Cool, calm and calculated. Ajayi was able to compliment his partners in defense as they formed a strong shield against the Cameroon attackers. His height and long strides came in handy to ward off threats both in the air and on the ground.
William Troost-Ekong – 8/10
Leader by example as always. Troost-Ekong led the back lines with a near perfect coordination. He didn’t lose any aerial contests and his interceptions were accurate.
Calvin Bassey – 8.5/10
The Fulham defender was best player in Eagles’ defense. He was able to deny the Cameroonians opportunities to operate from the right flank. He was also able to use his body frame, speed and skills to support attack and killed many dangerous moves against Nigeria.
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Ola Aina – 7/10
He did very well as he did in previous games, gave the needed support the attack also defended well with timely interceptions. He would later worn out at the closing stages and became rash with his tackles. He was booked for one of it.
Seidu Sanusi – 5/10
He didn’t have a good game. His defending was not too convincing and his he didn’t justify playing as a wing back as he failed to deliver any successful crosses.
Frank Onyeka – 8/10
A strong shield and protection for the defense, Onyeka did the job of clearing and forwarding in Nigeria’s midfield so accurate. He kept Anguissa quiet and didn’t allow him to make major incursions to Nigeria’s goal areas.
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Alex Iwobi – 5.5/10
The Fulham midfielder was not really convincing in his role as an offensive player. He couldn’t make much needed passes to attack. He also wasted a good opportunity that could have given Nigeria the second goal earlier.
Moses Simon – 6/10
He was able to raise his game against Cameroon but not totally convincing. The Nantes made himself available for some decoy runs that gave Osimhen some spaces to utilize and few of his crosses caused problems in the opponent’s goal area. May be he would have done better had he not sat too deep in the middle.
Ademola Lookman – 9.5/10
Arguably Nigeria’s best player of the night. Apart from scoring the two goals, Lookman was at his best with support for the attack and timely interceptions in midfield. He was able to use his pace and bulky stature to push back the Cameroon defense to the advantage of Nigeria.
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Victor Osimhen – 9/10
The reigning African Footballer of the Year actually led Nigeria attack as expected. He was a menace to the Cameroon defenders all through the game till he was subbed off. He won all his aerial duels and also used his pace to help recover possessions. He provided one of the goals which put Nigeria in driving seat.
Substitutes:
Francis Uzoho – 5/10
He was an emergency introduction but did very well to keep a clean sheet.
Uzoho was not threatened as his defenders did most of the job but looked convincing on few occasions he was called to duty.
Kenneth Omeruo – 5/10
He was a tactical inclusion that was sent to provide more cover for defense and Omeruo did just that.
His partnership with Troost-Ekong made Nigeria defense to be more compact and it make the Cameroon strikers to suffer.
Bright Osayi-Samuel – 4/10
He couldn’t make much meaningful impact.
Paul Onuachu – 5/10
He was able to use his hold on play qualities to run down the time and also helped pushed the opponent’e defenders back to their half.
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