Super Eagles player ratings : Dessers steals the show; Bassey a joy to behold; Uzoho committed; Iwobi industrious

Published: May 29, 2022
Super Eagles player ratings : Dessers steals the show; Bassey a joy to behold; Uzoho committed; Iwobi industrious

Nigeria's Super Eagles on Sunday morning suffered a 2-1 defeat to Mexico in an international friendly in Texas, United States of America.

 
 

It was Jose Peseiro's first game in charge of the team. Allnigeriasoccer.com rates the performance of the players.

 

The Starters

 

Goalkeeper

 

Francis Uzoho : Returned to the team after he was initially overlooked. The former youth international proved his commitment to the team but was not at fault for Gimenez's goal or the own goal by William Troost-Ekong. 6.5/10.

 

Defenders

 

Chidozie Awaziem (RB) : The versatile defender played at right back. His passes out of the back were however sloppy a few times.  Offensively, he also surged forward to launch some moves a couple of times. 6/10.

 

Semi Ajayi (CB) : Ajayi made a return to the team after the Africa Cup of Nations and was particularly impressive in his recovery tackles. 6/10.

 

William Troost-Ekong (CB) : The skipper of the side turned in the ball into his own net just when the Super Eagles were in high on confidence after Cyriel Dessers restored parity. Aside the own goal, Ekong was efficient.  6/10.

 

Calvin Bassey (LB) : Continued his good performance as seen in the Europa League final. Good in defence and a joy to behold going forward. Assisted Dessers with a tantalizing cross. 8/10.

 

Innocent Bonke (DM) : The Lorient of France midfielder continues to get a place on the starting lineup in the absence of injured Wilfred Ndidi.

 

Bonke broke plays at will but suffered an injury scare in the first half when he attempted to retrieve the ball from an opponent. He however played on after medical attention. 6/10.

 

Joe Aribo (CM) : The Glasgow Rangers star started strongly but his performance tailed off in the second half as he was easily beaten to the ball on 1v1 situations. 6.5/10.

 

Alex Iwobi (AM) : Alex Iwobi played his role well with runs on the ball and without it.  He found the attacking players with through passes and showed he was sorely missed in the 2022 FIFA World Cup playoffs against Ghana. 7/10.

 

Terem Moffi (FWD) : Moffi found pockets of space to get into the balls. He was great to watch linking up with his teammates albeit he missed a few chance to get on the scoresheet or as an assist. (5.5/10)

 

Moses Simon (FWD) : The Nantes player in the year 2022 so far has proven to be the best player for the national team. He was his bustling best as his pace and power created nightmares for the Mexicans. 6/10.

 

Cyriel  Dessers (FWD) : The Feyenoord striker whose team only last Wednesday lost the UEFA Conference League final to AS Roma.

 

Scored the team's only goal with a powerful header which the Mexican keeper tried frantically to keep out to no avail. 8.5/10.

 

The Substitutes

 

Sani Faisal:  The Katsina United man became the first home based player to be given minutes by Jose Peseiro. Seemed to have replaced supposedly injured Innocent Bonke. Promising. 5/10.

 

Victor Mbaoma (FWD) : The Enyimba striker showed some flashes of his skills in the last 18 minutes of the match when he replaced Terem Moffi but needs more time to enhance his chances. 5/10.

 

Ishaq Rafiu, Chiamaka Madu : The NPFL stars were introduced in the game as the match drew to a close. 4/10

 

Izuchukwu Michael

 

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