Rating every Super Eagles player from the 1-1 draw away at South Africa on Saturday.
The Super Eagles did just enough to get through to the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) after a 1-1 draw with South Africa on Sunday, November 17.
Both Nigeria and South Africa scored in the first leg of the encounter at the FNB Stadium in Johannesburg.
This how every Super Eagles player fared in the game.
Ikechukwu Ezenwa (Goalkeeper)
Was really tested for much of the game and didn’t have to pull off any save during the game. Had nothing to do to save the South African goal.
4/10
Leon Balogun (Central defence)
Look every bit match rusty but still looked composed in possession and rarely got caught out. Was having caught napping while trying to keep offside in the lead up to the South African goal.
4/10
William Troost-Ekong (Central defence)
Didn’t look in sync with his fellow central defenders and got caught out of position several times.
4/10
Kenneth Omeruo (Central defence)
Was beaten by Percy Tau in the build-up to South Africa goal and looked shaky in defence all through the game.
4/10
John Ogu (Defensive midfield)
Look composed all through the game and helped out the central defence several times during the game.
6/10
Samuel Kalu (Right wing-back)
Super Eagles best player of the evening. Impressed down the right in an unfamiliar wing-back position. It was his cross that took a deflection off a South African defender for Nigeria’s only goal of the game. He also defended well, sliding well to block a goal-bound shot in the Nigerian box just a few minutes after the Super Eagles goal.
7/10
Jamilu Collins (Left wing-back)
Not a good game from the left-footer. Didn’t offer much in the game both in defence and attack.
4/10
Oghenekaro Etebo (Midfield)
Struggled in possession for most of the first half and gave the ball away in the lead up to the South African goal. But must be commended for his efforts as he hassled the South Africans in midfield.
4/10
Alex Iwobi (midfield)
Had a difficult game and was unable to create much from the Number 10 role. Made a few good passes from midfield but struggled for most of the game.
4/10
Kelechi Iheanacho (Forward)
Not a good day in the office for Iheanacho who struggled to make any sort of impact in the game. Missed a sitter to sum up his bad day.
3/10
Ahmed Musa (Forward)
Look lively for most parts and caused a lot of trouble for the South African defence.
5/10
Substitutes
Isaac Success (Forward)
Was impressive after he was introduced in the 69th minute. Held on to the ball well and added live to the Super Eagles attack.
3/10
Henry Onyekuru (Forward)
Came in late on and didn’t have enough time to have an impact.
Semi Ajayi (Midfield)
Introduced in place of Iwobi and played his part in seeing out the game for Nigeria.