The Super Eagles of Nigeria survived a scare from AFCON debutants, Burundi, to secure a 1-0 win in the first game on their return to the continental tournament after missing the past two editions.
Odion Ighalo’s well-taken goal in the 77th minute proved the winning goal. The Shanghai Shenhua of China striker impressing in his cameo appearance. Who else did?
GERNOT ROHR WATCH (6/10)
The German coach was saved in China by Ighalo. Already thinking about the net game against Guinea, arguably the most difficult match of the group, Rohr rested Odion Ighalo and Ahmed Musa, and the Eagles nearly paid for it.
Starting with Mikel behind the striker, the midfield was over the place and shapeless, while the team lacked width with Iwobi always cutting infield. Redeemed himself with his substitutions which stretched play and supplied the winning goal.
GOALKEEPER
Daniel Akpeyi (6/10): Solid and calamitous in equal measure. Calm and showed he is a modern goalkeeper confident with the ball at his feet.
A wonder save denied the Cedric Amissi and Burundi a certain goal and added other good saves.
However, his poor control could have led to a goal and he also dropped the ball in dangerous situations on a couple of occasions. The South Africa-based keeper needs to cut out his mistakes to solidify his spot.
DEFENDERS
Ola Aina (8/10): Man of the Match. Solid defensively and joined the attack whenever he could. He may not have picked up Total’s MOTM, but he surely gave MOTM performance.
Improved in the second half with the introduction of Musa who created space for him to operate in attack, and he created Ighalo’s match-winning goal with an excellent through ball.
Abdullahi Shehu (6/10): Sloppy passing but showed endeavor to push forward, and a mazy run early in the game set up Chukwueze who could not make the effort count. Went off injured in the first half.
Kenneth Omeruo (6/10): Solid outing. His route was not threatened much and almost scored with a header at the back post early in the second half.
William Troost-Ekong (5/10): Below par performance. The Udinese man lost Amissi for Burundi’s best chance, and was also beaten to a header by Frederic Nsabiyumva for another opportunity. Improved in the second half as Nigeria’s substitutes gave Burundi more to think of in defence.
Wilfred Ndidi (7/10): Saddled with protecting the defence at the base of midfield and carried out his duties without fuss. He was named Total’s man of the match.
John Obi Mikel (6/10): The captain was his usual composed self with his passes. Played further forward than Etebo and tried to knit the attack together but his colleagues were most out of tune, more concerned about their individual plays. Sacrificed for Ahmed Musa before the hour.
Oghenekaro Etebo (6/10): Added an extra body in midfield. Narrowed down space for Burundi but not his usual energetic display, misplacing passes and poor decision making.
Alex Iwobi (5/10): Nowhere to be found early in the half but produced one moment of magic midway through the first half which Chukwueze could not make count. Became more effective when he moved into the number 10 position with the substitution of Mikel.
Samuel Chukwueze (6/10): The Villareal FC dribbling machine got his swag on from start, dancing past players but his shot was charged down.
Blazed high and wide when he picked out by Iwobi’s cut-back on the penalty spot. Should have done better with his final balls but was too selfish at times, clinging on to the ball even when a teammate was better placed.
Paul Onuachu (4/10): Had three headers early on to open scoring but couldn’t connect properly, and also shot tamely when Mikel was better placed. Lack of connection with the wingers or midfield meant he was isolated most times. Faded off in the second half.
SUBSTITUTES
Odion Ighalo (7/10): The rested striker showed why he is first-choice by scoring four minutes after his introduction.
Displayed his goal-poaching instinct to put himself in the position, pick his spot and dispatch his shot off the post. A match-winning introduction
Chigozie Awaziem (6/10): Effective without being flashy. Did the simple things right but did not make an impact in attack.
Ahmed Musa (6/10): His introduction finally added much-needed width and injected more pace into an Eagles team that improved with him on the pitch.
Helped stretched Burundi’s defence on the wing to create more space in the middle and Ighalo finally pounced. A good tactical outing.
