Flying Eagles player ratings : Daga living up to hype; Yahaya super-sub; Ibrahim, Njoku impress

The Flying Eagles on Tuesday night reached the final of the WAFU U-20  Zone B Regional tournament which serves as qualification to the CAF U-20 Africa Cup of Nations in 2023.

It was a nervy game which was settled in extra-time after both sides finished the game 1-1 in regulation time.

This is how the players rated in the match.

The Starters

Goalkeeper

Nathaniel Nwosu : The goalkeeper had a good game especially in the first half as kept out the dangerous Ivorians albeit he could not save the world class free kick that took the game to extra time. Communicated constantly with the defenders. 6/10.

Augustine Njoku : The right back was solid in defence and produced some quality crosses into the box, one of which Ibrahim Yahaya headed wide from close range. 7/10.

Lekan Oyedele : The left back had a decent game though the opponents exploited his position more than the opposing side. 6/10.

David Sholumade  : The number 5 expertly brought the ball out of his half into the opposition half but gave away some niggling fouls. 6/10.

Oluwatosin Adegbite (c) : The captain repelled several onslaughts from the Ivorians. Made a vital 88th minute clearance as Cote d’Ivoire went close to scoring. 7/10.

Midfielders and strikers

Daniel Daga : Again the Man of the Match as he was in the game against Burkina Faso. Daga was immaculate in breaking the plays from the Ivorians and drawing several fouls. The midfielder scored Nigeria's first via a header in the 5th minute. Likened to Barcelona captain Sergio Busquets, he is indeed living up to the hype. 8/10.

Samson Lawal : Battling performance by Lawal who was one of the defensive midfield players screening the central defensive dip of Sholumade and Adegbite. 6/10.

Aminu Muhammad : Unarguably the weakest link for the team. Like he did sparingly against Burkina Faso, Aminu gave away the balls a couple of times and got himself booked for stopping a quick free-kick by the tricky Ivorians. Rifhtly replaced in the second half. 5/10

Tolulope Ojo : The Remo Stars forward was a menace for the Ivorians. He was efficient with his passes or even helping to recover the ball in midfield. 6/10.

Ibrahim Muhammad : Provided the assist for the opening goal. Full of energy and used his pace in full control. Was a target of some ill-timed tackles. Subbed off in the second half. 7/10

Adams Olubi : The striker could not open his account in the tournament due to the defensive solidity of the Ivorians. Subbed off. 5/10.

Substitutes

Abubakar Babaji : The defender was brought in to shore up the back line. Helped things tick over. He has to put his temperament in check as the Ivorians went down at the slightest of touches. 5/10.

Onuche Ogbelu : The Fosla Academy product was a substitute in extra fine in place of Ibrahim Muhammad. Good at intercepting the ball and producing the diagonal, long passes. He needs more minutes in the team. 6/10.

Ibrahim Yahaya : Brought on and scored from the penalty box to deny the Ivorians any hopes of progressing go the final. Had a couple of great chances that were denied. Great asset to the team. 7/10.

 Izuchukwu Michael
    

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