The Super Eagles took on Saudi Arabia during the International break in preparation for the upcoming AFCON tournament in Ivory Coast.
The Super Eagles of Nigeria came from behind to overturn a goal deficit at the Estádio Municipal de Portimão to take the lead, but a late Mohammed Kanno goal secured a draw for Saudi Arabia, Soccernet.ng reports.
Salman Al-Faraj took the lead for the Al-Suqour Al-Khodhur, but an own goal and a Kelechi Iheanacho screamer turned the game around in favour of the Super Eagles.
Soccernet.ng rates the performance of the Super Eagles against the Green Falcons of Saudi Arabia.
Francis Uzoho 4/10: Uzoho’s error led to a Saudi Arabia goal, and the goalkeeper made just a save in over ninety minutes of football, leaving Jose Peseiro with another headache in the goalkeeping section.
Tyronne Ebuehi 5.5/10: Tyronne struggled to impress as well, as he played only just sixty-five minutes. It looks like the full-back’s form at Empoli rubbed off on him in the Nigerian jersey.
Semi Ajayi 6.5/10: Partnered with Calvin-Bassey in central defence for the first time, Semi had a decent game, completing 91% of his passes and making seven recoveries.
Calvin Bassey 7/10: Bassey had a good game, creating a chance himself, and he had five passes into the final third. He was also rock-solid at the back, completing nine recoveries and winning five ground duels.
Sopuruchukwu Onyemaechi 7/10: The Boavista left-back had a great game and looked promising for most parts. Balancing in attack and helping out in defence as well.
Wilfred Ndidi 7/10: The Leicester City midfielder was the most fouled man on the pitch. Although he didn’t offer much offensively, Ndidi bailed the defence out several times, completing thirteen ball recoveries and winning the majority of his duels.
Alex Iwobi 7/10: The Fulham midfielder played in a more reserved role than he would usually do to accommodate the coach’s tactics. He completed seven passes into the final third.
Ademola Lookman 5.5/10: Lookman did not have a good game. The Atalanta man looked lost sometimes, and had his two shots off target, before coming off a few minutes after the hour mark.
Samuel Chukwueze 6/10: For a player best known for his dribbling ability, Chukwueze struggled to take his defenders on, and completed just thirteen accurate passes in sixty-five minutes of play.
Victor Boniface 6.5/10: Boniface showed promising signs on his first start for Nigeria, as he dropped deep to help his team create chances. It was, however, obvious he would need more time to blend in playing with Osimhen as the two struggled to connect sometimes.
Victor Osimhen 6.5/10: The Napoli forward struggled as well, as he had just two shots with neither of them on target. He was subbed off on the hour mark.
Substitutes
Bright Osayi-Samuel 6.5/10: The Fernabache full-back came on with twenty-five minutes to play and looked to be a better option than Ebuehi. He completed 100% of his passes.
Kelechi Iheanacho 7.5/10: Everything looked better with Iheanacho at the heart of it. He came on for the final twenty-five minutes and he scored a screamer that helped the Super Eagles turn the game around. For many, they’d prefer the Leicester City forward in the starting eleven to help the strikers up front create chances.
Terem Moffi 6.5/10: The 24-year-old could have extended Nigeria’s lead with two chances, but the goalkeeper came out on top. He did well, given he only played half an hour.
Sadiq Umar: Umar came on for only twelve minutes and couldn’t make much of an impact.
Moses Simon: Moses Simon came on, and with only twenty-four minutes, he completed the most dribbles in the match.
