Nigeria’s Super Eagles held the Black Stars of Ghana to a 0-0 drawn game at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium in Kumasi on Friday night.
Simon Moses should have drawn first blood for the Super Eagles on the 56th-minute mark but he watched his goal-bound effort blocked off by Ghana goalkeeper Joseph Wollacott.
Glasgow Rangers midfielder Joe Aribo won the midfield battle over Arsenal star Thomas Partey as substitute Frank Onyeka cameoed with a dangerous closing twisting and swerving move that got the hearts of Ghana fans in their mouths.
Here is the player rating analysis of the Nigerian men deployed for Augustine Eguavoen for the crucial game.
- Francis Uzoho – 6.5/10
The Omonia Nicosia shot-stopper pulled a world-class stop to deny Fatawu Issahaku in the 37th minute. He made a couple of decent saves in the area to keep the Super Eagles on a clean sheet going into the return fixture. He also organised the backline really well. He stepped in for the injured Maduka Okoye.
- Ola Aina – 5.5/10
The former Chelsea academy boy had things difficult with Kudus Mohammed and Felix Afena-Gyan whenever he switched to his side of the wings. It was not a perfect night for the Torino defender.
- Zaidu Sanusi – 6/10
Sanusi policed Jordan Ayew for the 92 minutes he lasted on the field of play. He was extra careful with Crystal Palace forward as he committed minimum fouls against him and ensured he didn’t create any dangerous moments for the visitors.
- William Troost-Ekong – 6.5/10
The Super Eagles captain put up his A-game to hold the tireless AS Roma starlet Felix Afena-Gyan at bay. The 19-year-old was eager to cause more problems for the Super Eagles but he was kept under control most times by the Dutch-born defender – including a crucial interception which saw him head the ball away from the path of the on-rushing youngster who had his eyes at goal.
- Leon Balogun – 6/10
A compatriot of Ekong in central defense. The pair worked decently well to curtail a workaholic Ghana attack that took aims at the Nigerian goal area.
- Bonke Innocent – 5.5/10
Replaced by Peter Etebo just after the hour mark. Prior to his substitution, the Lorient midfielder combined with Joe Aribo to beat Thomas Partey to the midfield battle.
- Joe Aribo – 6/10
Skillful, strong and commanding. The midfielder caused early problems for Thomas Partey in midfield. He was athletic and creative the midfield that blew Thomas Partey missing in action. He was replaced just before the hour mark by Frank Onyeka – a stubborn midfield who later toyed with the Ghana defence.
- Kelechi Iheanacho – 5.5/10
He worked well to keep the attacking shape of the team. Mostly flirted around the attacking areas of the Ghana team playing as a decoy to draw away the Ghanaian defensive rearguard for the wingers to exploy space on the wings and one of such instances led to a glearing chance for Samuel Chukwueze inside the Ghana box but he blasted his effort wide.
- Simon Moses – 5/10
Started his trademark game around the 12th-minute mark when he resisted a challenge inside the midfield to create a chance for the Super Eagles. He should have scored the first goal for Nigeria 11 minutes after the interval when he was played through by Kelechi but he saw his ball saved by the Ghana goalkeeper who plays in the 4th division of English football. Lookman Ademola replaced him on the 74th minute mark.
- Victor Osimhen – 5/10
He came close to poking home the opener early on in the game after managing to beat Alexander Djiku and Daniel Amartey. But, after that show, he was pocketed by the Ghanaian central defence.
- Samuel Chukwueze – 5/10
Nigeria’s first chance at goal fell to the Villarreal man but he failed to seize the moment as he blasted his effort widely off target. After that, Denis Odoi showed him a few of the ball until he was replaced by Emmanuel Dennis.
SUBSTITUTES
- Emmanuel Dennis – 5.5/10
- Frank Onyeka – 6/10
- Peter Etebo – 5/10
- Calvin Bassey – 5.5/10
- Lookman Ademola – 5/10
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Source: Sports