Super Eagles player ratings: Dele-Bashiru saviour; Chukwueze provides spark; Ajayi rusty; Iwobi creative 

The Super Eagles were held to a 1-1 draw by Bafana Bafana on matchday three of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers on Friday night at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo.

Allnigeriasoccer.com runs the rule over the Super Eagles players in action in the encounter.

The starters

Goalkeeper 

Stanley Nwabali: He could have done nothing for the goal, was quick to come off his lines when needed and maintained his composure all game. 6/10

Defenders 

Benjamin Tanimu: He was also played out of position and unsurprisingly made the defense look vulnerable. He shouldn't be played as a right-back for the foreseeable future. 5/10

Semi Ajayi: The rusty West Brom defender, who logged nine minutes in his club's last five matches of the recently concluded season, was also a culprit for the South Africa goal. He was beaten for pace and was easily dribbled past all game. It was a poor defensive display from the former Arsenal U21 captain. 4.5/10

Calvin Bassey: He made it easy for Themba Zwane to get past him and was easily dragged out of position at times due to his aggressiveness but made some good defensive decisions. 6/10

Bright Osayi-Samuel: The Fenerbahçe defender played at left back and was badly exposed. He should have gotten a goal but aimed his effort straight at the goalkeeper. 5.5/10

Midfielders

Wilfred Ndidi: It wasn't the best game from the skipper who made it easy for the Bafana Bafana to run at the Nigerian defense. He finished the game as a center back with Nigeria searching for the winner. 5.5/10

Fisayo Dele-Bashiru: The Manchester City Academy product had a quiet first half but got Nigeria back into the game with a wonderful goal before being brought off due to an injury. 7.5/10

Alex Iwobi: The Fulham star was among the Super Eagles best players, creating chances for his teammates and got the assist for the goal.. 7/10

Forwards 

Kelechi Iheanacho: He drifted inside from the right flank to combine with his teammates. He went quiet in the second half and was substituted. 6/10

Paul Onuachu:He had a quiet first half but came into life in the second half troubling the South African defense with his aerial prowess. 5/10

Ademola Lookman: He was lively particularly in the second half but his decision making left so much to be desired for most part of the game and should have gotten on the scoresheet. 6/10

The Substitutes 

Alhassan Yusuf: It was a decent performance from the Royal Antwerp midfielder who was the first to be brought on, replacing the injured Dele-Bashiru. 5.5/10

Samuel Chukwueze:He was very dangerous when he came on and could have gotten on the scoresheet but was denied by the woodwork. 7.5/10

Raphael Onyedika: The Club Brugge midfielder did nothing worthy of note when he came on. 5/10

Terem Moffi: He missed a clear cut opportunity to find the winner and made no case for himself to start the next game. 4/10

Abdulkareem Abdulhamid

Photo Credit: Pooja Media

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