World Cup-bound Flying Eagles player grades : Ogwuche excellent backup, Aniagboso 'Mr. cleansheet'

Nigeria on Thursday picked one of four African tickets for the 2023 FIFA U-20 World Cup in Indonesia. 

The team defeated Uganda 1-0 to reach the semifinals  of the tournament and now await the winner of the South Sudan versus The Gambia match on Friday. 

These were the ratings of the players in the game. 

The Starters 

Goalkeeper 

Chijioke Aniagboso  : The goalkeeper seems to have wrestled the number one choice gloves form Nathaniel Nwosu. 

So far Aniagboso has not conceded a goal in three matches. However he needs to be firmer on his handling of the ball and on his decision-making. 7/10. 

Defenders 

Augustine Njoku: Right back, Augustine Njoku had a more difficult time in the first half stopping Uganda captain, Isma Mugulusi.  However his defending improved as the game went by. 6/10.

Solomon Agbalaka: The left back who was the only Nigerian player on the CAF Best X1 of the group stage was his usual rampaging self. He seems to be the more advancing of the full backs. This however was not the best of his games n Egypt. 6/10

Abel Ogwuche: The dreads-wearing defender replaced usual captain, Daniel Bameyi, who was ruled out of the game after two yellow cards accumulated in the group stage.  Outstanding performance from the Swedish-based youngster. He made some clearances early in the game and also won the aerial balls he went into. 8/10.  

Benjamin Fredrick: Lucky not to have handled the ball in an awkward position in the second half. Strong on the tackle. 6/10. 

Midfielders and Strikers

Samson Lawal: Went for glory in the second half when he could have found a better-placed teammate His deft touches and passing range were very good. 7/10.

Onuche Ogbelu: The youngster never allowed too many balls past him. He restricted the Ugandans to aiming for shots outside the box in the second half as the East Africans searched for an equaliser. 7/10.

Muhammad Aminu : Won a few free kicks for the Flying Eagles and created a few decent chances for his attacking teammates. 6/10. 

Haliru Sarki: The forward was impressive on Thursday. He won a few free kicks and corners for the team. 6/10. 

Ayuba Abubakar: Good in the air and used his big frame to good effect as the Ugandan defenders struggled with his physical presence.  However Abubakar's quality on the ball, and his XG has to improve. 6/10. 

Ibrahim Muhammad: Everything good in terms of attacking  play came from him. He tormented the defence of Uganda to no end with his power play and nimble footwork. 

It was Muhammad's shot that got deflected off the post which Ibrahim Juma steered into his team's net for an own goal. 8/10. 

The Substitutes 

Jude Sunday: The forward came off the bench and was a great introduction as he was a menace to the Ugandans especially from the flanks within the time he was on the pitch. 610. 

Alade Adams: The striker came off the bench and helped ease a lot of pressure with his direct style of football. Would have picked up a card. 5/10. 

Ahmed Addullahi: Was cleverly taking the ball to the bylines when the game was coming to an end. Had a great chance to score but wasted it. 5/10.

Nicholas Jonathan: Brought late onto the game to be sufficiently rated. N/A. 

Izuchukwu Michael
 

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