Osimhen’s absence telling, Eagles must learn to break low block

The Eagles barely stayed forward of Benin within the 2025 AFCON qualifiers with a late objective in opposition to bottom-placed Libya on Friday on the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo. This might have ended otherwise if Fisayo Dele-Bashiru hadn’t come off the bench to jab dwelling the winner with three minutes left on the clock.

Listed here are the gamers’ rankings from the match:

Stanley Nwabali: 90 minutes [28, 15 caps]; Ranking: 6/10

Nwabali had little involvement, with solely two touches within the first half. He took a danger when confronting a Libyan attacker, which might have been expensive below completely different circumstances.

William Troost-Ekong (Captain): 90 minutes [29, 72 caps]; Ranking: 6/10

Ekong had a scoring likelihood within the first half, however was principally untroubled all through the match.

Calvin Bassey: 90 minutes [23, 26 caps]; Ranking: 6/10

Bassey tried to progress the ball up the pitch, however his efforts have been ineffective in opposition to Libya’s low defensive block.

Ola Aina: 90 minutes [28, 41 caps]; Ranking: 6/10

Aina supported the assault however was not as productive within the last third, finishing just one out of three tried crosses.

Bruno Onyemaechi: 90 minutes [25, 7 caps]; Ranking: 5/10

Onyemaechi was probably the most energetic Tremendous Eagles participant, trying 10 crosses, however solely three discovered their goal. He led the workforce in touches with 91.

Wilfred Ndidi: 74 minutes [27, 59 caps]; Ranking: 6/10

Ndidi, taking part in because the deepest midfielder, struggled to interrupt down Libya’s defensive strains and couldn’t create sufficient attacking alternatives.

Frank Onyeka: 61 minutes [26, 25 caps]; Ranking: 6/10

Onyeka, in a box-to-box position, had a shot saved within the first half however lacked the drive to penetrate the Libyan protection.

Alex Iwobi: 74 minutes [28, 81 caps]; Ranking: 5.5/10

Iwobi had probably the most scoring probabilities however did not convert. He was dispossessed a number of instances and didn’t ship the anticipated influence on the Eagles’ assault.

Ademola Lookman: 90 minutes [26, 24 caps]; Ranking: 7/10

Lookman was a relentless risk and may have scored if not for an inaccurate offside name. He switched positions successfully and tried to unlock Libya’s protection.

Moses Simon: 90 minutes [29, 73 caps]; Ranking: 7.5/10

Simon was Nigeria’s standout participant, creating a number of probabilities and delivering the help for the profitable objective. His crosses troubled Libya’s protection all through the match. A person-of-the-match efficiency.

Victor Boniface: 74 minutes [23, 10 caps]; Ranking: 5/10

Boniface had minimal involvement, with solely 20 touches. He did not capitalise on his positioning and held onto the ball too lengthy in crucial moments.

Substitutes:

Samuel Chukwueze: 29 minutes [25, 39 caps]; Ranking: 5/10

Chukwueze created probabilities and delivered the cross for Lookman’s disallowed objective however must do extra to cement his place within the workforce.

Fisayo Dele-Bashiru: 16 minutes [23, 3 caps]; Ranking: 7/10

Dele-Bashiru was composed and environment friendly, scoring the sport’s solely objective. His knack for scoring decisive objectives is incomes him admiration from teammates and followers alike.

READ ALSO: UPDATED: Nigeria 1-0 Libya: Late objective from Dele-Bashiru retains Eagles high

Raphael Onyedika: 16 minutes [23, 10 caps]; Ranking: 6/10

Onyedika slotted in seamlessly, sustaining possession and retaining the workforce’s construction intact. Many followers are calling for him to begin.

Taiwo Awoniyi: 16 minutes [27, 8 caps]; Ranking: 4/10

Awoniyi had minimal influence, with solely 4 touches, and missed a chance to create a breakaway second.

Semi Ajayi: 4 minutes [30, 40 caps]; Ranking: N/A

Too little time on the pitch to warrant a ranking.

Coach Augustine Eguavoen: Ranking: 5.5/10

Eguavoen might query his choice to stick with Boniface and keep a four-man protection in opposition to a non-threatening Libyan assault. He might want to contemplate adjustments in midfield for the return leg, probably beginning Onyedika and Dele-Bashiru so as to add extra attacking impetus.

Waiting for the return leg in Benghazi on Tuesday, Eguavoen should decide tips on how to break down what could possibly be one other cussed Libyan protection.