PLAYER RATINGS: Osimhen inches closer to Yekini’s record as Iwobi touches perfection against Algeria

The Super Eagles of Nigeria produced another masterclass for a dominant 2-0 win over Algeria in their Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) quarter-final on Saturday.

Victor Osimhen scored and assisted on the clincher as the Eagles advanced to the semi-final — Nigeria’s 16th appearance in the last four of the AFCON. However, not many previous performances enroute to that stage would have been as commanding as the unimpeachable effort at the Grand Stade de Marrakech on Saturday.

Eric Chelle and his boys broke the record of goals scored by Nigeria at a single AFCON. The team has converted 14 goals and has guaranteed two games left to play.

The performance against Algeria underlines Nigeria as one of the favourites for the trophy, especially with host Morocco next.

TheCable rates the strong performance of Super Eagles players that was partly a statement of intent and also revenge for the loss to Algeria at AFCON 2019.

Stanley Nwabali (3/5): He was bored in a match and was not tested by an Algerian shot. Nwabali was uncharacteristically gentle and kept a cool head as Algeria looked to incite Nigeria in the closing stages.

Bright Osayi-Samuel (4/5): He put in a man-of-the-match performance. His lung-busting runs created opportunities to hurt Algeria in attack, and he was alert to stop their forays on his flank, especially in the second half, where he stopped consecutive attacks without putting a foot wrong.

Calvin Bassey (4.5/5): He was the bus stop for Algeria’s attacks through the middle. Cleaned up where necessary, and his strength proved too much for the opponent, who hit a wall against the Fulham defender. Could have scored, but saw his effort cleared off the line.

Semi Ajayi (3.5/5): Slow but did enough to recover in time to perform his defensive duties. Kept things tidy at the back till the end.

Bruno Onyemaechi (4/5): His surging runs forward had Mahrez doing more of defending than attacking, and provided pinpoint deep crosses from which Osimhen scored his goal. Onyemaechi was, however, lucky to escape without a card for holding back the winger as he threatened to break.

Wilfred Ndidi (4/5): He shielded the back four in his usual standard, and did more of the ball-winning actions in Algeria’s half. Captain fantastic. The only dent in another captain’s performance was a yellow card that would rule him out of the semi-final.

Frank Onyeka (4/5): The Tank used his body well to win second balls and contributed to Nigeria getting over 60% of the ball in the first half. He maintained his duties in the second period and was close to getting a goal for his fantastic performance.

Alex Iwobi (5/5): He wriggled free and produced another midfield masterclass despite Algeria trying to reduce his influence without success. The playmaker shook off the shackles and moved around the midfield for pockets of space to successfully dictate the play. He influenced both of Nigeria’s goals. He was always available with the pass before the assists that set up the goals.

Ademola Lookman (3.5/5): Played more centrally again, and he kept trying to create openings for both Osimhen and Adams. He had a near-post shot saved, and never stopped running to keep the press despite having a quiet evening by his AFCON standards.

Akor Adams (4/5): He continued his energetic performance in attack with a goal, and was a key part of the press that prevented Algeria from building from defence. Uncharacteristically spurned Nigeria’s best chance of the first half but made amends with a well-taken clincher, and also hit the bar.

Victor Osimhen (4.5/5): What conflict? He scored a Cristiano Ronaldo-esque header and laid the ball on a plate for Adams’s goal. Another fine individual display and a brilliant team performance from the striker, who is increasingly showing his importance to the team in Morocco. Osimhen scored his 35th goal for the Eagles, and he is just two goals away from the all-time record of Rashidi Yekini.

SUBSTITUTES

Raphael Onyedika (3/5): He came in for an injured Ndidi when the Algerians were throwing men forward in a desperate attempt back into the match. The midfielder contributed his on-the-ball composure and technical ability to ease the Algerians’ belated pressure.

Moses Simon (N/A)

Igoh Ogbu (N/A)

Fisayo Dele-Bashiru (N/A)

Chidozie Awaziem (N/A)

(The Cable)