Some of us had ruled out any chance of making it through to the semis since the blow of final whistle in the match against Uruguay, but Nigerians, known to be incurable optimists, gave them a chance. Well, none of the two permutations came to pass: Spain put three past us, Uruguay pummeled Tahiti. And out the Eagles found themselves.

Yet, the match against Spain wasn’t an entirely bad game for the Eagles, the embarrassing scoreline notwithstanding.

How Eagles performed versus Spain:

1, Enyeama: Saved us from what could have been a monumental embarrassment as, but for him, Eagles could have conceded up to six. Decent game, although he could have also done better stopping one the goals. 6/10

2, Echiejile: Our left back had an average game, although he was outrun and beaten on few occasions by Spanish trademark square-passing. I think he has convinced me that he’s as good as, perhaps better than, Taiye Taiwo, although for competition sake, TT should also be recalled, even if as second choice in that wing. 5/10

3, Oboabona: The La Furia Rojers were too much for him. Caught in the middle of their effective short passes on many occasions, but he was still able to dispossess them of the ball a couple of times. Decent showing, although he could have done better in the first goal. 6/10

4, Kenneth Omeruo: Hard and business-minded as usual. Tough, yet professional tackling. He was having a decent game before he copped injury. 6/10

5, Ambrose: He didn’t overlap much in this match. Sometimes beaten by the swift-footed Spanish forward. 5/10

6, Ogude: Not much was seen of him. This one pass his hard tackles. Neatly rounded on an occasion by a Spanish midfielder I can’t recall. Had a quiet game, probably because of the style of the Spaniards. 4/10

7, Sunday Mba: Did decently to support Mikel in the midfield. He also made a fantastic run at goal before the close of first half. He soon fizzled out in second half and replaced with John Ogu. 6/10

8, Mikel: When you have Xavi and Iniesta as opposition’s midfielders, nobody will give you any chance of making any impact in the midfield. But Mikel actually did, even if the two midfield marshals still held grip of the centre. Mikel held his own against the two veterans. His passes were better than previous matches and reached destination. He exuded confidence remiscent of his under-20 days, making daring runs in the midfield, sometimes beating up to 3 Spanish players. Good game. But water pass garri. 8/10

9, Musa: He played more purposeful football in this match. He freed his Kano pillar former homeboy, Gambo Mohammed with a through pass on one occasion, after waltzing his way through Spanish left and centrebacks, but the Kano man, probably overwhelmed by the occasion , wasted what could have been a consolation goal for the Eagles. 7/10

10, Ideye: He needs to work on his first touch. By now, it is clear that he does better when he plays as a supporting striker, like he did at AFCON. 4.5/10

11, Akpala: He didn’t do much upfront. Ramos clipped his and Ideye’s wings and our lively occasions in front came from Musa in the wings. 4/10

http://jarushub.com/2013/06/24/player-rating-nigeria-vs-spain/

SUBS

EGWUEKE: Thrown in for injured Omeruo. Against a star-studded Spain is not the best occasion a rookie will want to be tested, but Egwueke still managed to have an average game. He felt jittery, probably star-struck, initially but later came into the game. 5/10

GAMBO: That miss was unforgiveable. Honestly, I would have scored that goal. If in doubt ask the goal keepers at Ajah Harmony estate emirate stadium, where such goals are my trademark. 2/10

OGU: His game is similar to Mikel’s, kind of a poor man’s version of Mikel. He also tries distributing short passes. His style is quite different from his competitor, Mba’s. He has future with Eagles. 6/10

NEGATIVE VERSUS SPAIN: As African champions, a 1-0 or 2-1 loss would have been more honourable. It doesn’t matter that we are playing against World and European champions. But if Germany can whitewash a Messi-ful Argentina 4-1 in a world cup quarterfinal, then we have a precedent.

POSITIVE VERSUS SPAIN: Anyone noticed that we almost matched the Spaniards in possession? Not sure any other African team can do that. Well, maybe Egypt which also play free-flowing football. The scoreline only showed they had better finishers, not that they are thrice better result. That’s why I think a 1-0 or 2-1 would have been a better result.

http://jarushub.com/2013/06/24/player-rating-nigeria-vs-spain/

OVERALL SCORECARD IN THIS TOURNAMENT: The Uruguay match was our best in my opinion, followed by Spain, then Tahiti. Our attack was poor. I still hold that we don’t need Osaze (off-field discipline is as important as on-field quality), but I think an IK Uche and Martins would have made difference. But kudos still to Keshi for giving Ujah, Akpala, Babatunde and Gambo a chance. It wasn’t a totally bad tournament, except our attacking flaws. With 3 points and +1 goal difference, Nigeria came 5th in this tournament, although that’s rather flattering, giving the fact we got the goals because we had whipping boys, Tahiti, in our group. Eagles should come back to Africa and continue to be continental champions. This team is going places. The only difference between this team and Eagles' golden era of 1990-1998 is lack of sharp finishers like Yekini, Amokachi and Siasia. In terms of entertaining, free-flowing, possessive football, I think this is the best we have got since the exit of the 90-98 set.

http://jarushub.com/2013/06/24/player-rating-nigeria-vs-spain/

I think Eyeama deserves a 7/10 or even an 8/10. He was the man of the match on the NIgerian side. He saved many goals that would otherwise have spelt more doom for the Super Eagles.

Omeruo didn't do much for him to deserve 6/10. Infact, his defensive plunder was what cost us the first goal.

Musa had a less embarrassing game and not a good game. A 6/10 would be plausible.

All in all, i think the team were not bad on the night except for the not-so-good strike force and the mistake prone defense. I think we need to overhaul our striker force. Ideye should remain in the team but he should be moved backward to play as a supporting striker cos it seems he does better at that position. He doesn't have goal sense.

Jarus: OVERALL SCORECARD IN THIS TOURNAMENT: This team is going places. The only difference between this team and Eagles' golden era of 1990-1998 is lack of sharp finishers like Yekini, Amokachi and Siasia.

Not just that ooo. Can't see the likes of Iroha, Finidi George in this team ooo.

Mikel and Eyeama did well.

None of the above

Good except that i don't agree with Ideye and Akpala's ratings..5/10 to each would be okay as they still played a good game irrespective of their poor finishing.

This team will do wonders if managed well. we have a growing middle field. we ned to equip our defence and sharpen our attack. Keshi should start working on Emenike, Victor Moses, Ike Uche and Ideye. They all have what it takes. Torres dint start in a day.preparartion for world cup starts now.

Jarus: OVERALL SCORECARD IN THIS TOURNAMENT: The Uruguay match was our best in my opinion, followed by Spain, then Tahiti. Our attack was poor. I still hold that we don’t need Osaze (off-field discipline is as important as on-field quality), but I think an IK Uche and Martins would have made difference. But kudos still to Keshi for giving Ujah, Akpala, Babatunde and Gambo a chance. It wasn’t a totally bad tournament, except our attacking flaws. With 3 points and +1 goal difference, Nigeria came 5th in this tournament, although that’s rather flattering, giving the fact we got the goals because we had whipping boys, Tahiti, in our group. Eagles should come back to Africa and continue to be continental champions. This team is going places. The only difference between this team and Eagles' golden era of 1990-1998 is lack of sharp finishers like Yekini, Amokachi and Siasia. In terms of entertaining, free-flowing, possessive football, I think this is the best we have got since the exit of the 90-98 set.

http://jarushub.com/2013/06/24/player-rating-nigeria-vs-spain/

Point on bro, u brought the words outta my mouth. This crop of super Eagles is definitely going places

Jarus: SUBS
EGWUEKE: Thrown in for injured Omeruo. Against a star-studded Spain is not the best occasion a rookie will want to be tested, but Egwueke still managed to have an average game. He felt jittery, probably star-struck, initially but later came into the game. 5/10

In my opinion, he should have 6/10 as he held his own and did quite well after his introduction.

Jarus:
GAMBO: That miss was unforgiveable. Honestly, I would have scored that goal. If in doubt ask the goal keepers at Ajah Harmony estate emirate stadium, where such goals are my trademark. 2/10

http://jarushub.com/2013/06/24/player-rating-nigeria-vs-spain/

The miss was not just unforgiveable, it was blasphemous...he should score 0.5/10...

if nt 4 eyama na die o...dy did dia best

Afam4eva: I think Eyeama deserves a 7/10 or even an 8/10. He was the man of the match on the NIgerian side. He saved many goals that would otherwise have spelt more doom for the Super Eagles.

Omeruo didn't do much for him to deserve 6/10. Infact, his defensive plunder was what cost us the first goal.

Musa had a less embarrassing game and not a good game. A 6/10 would be plausible.

All in all, i think the team were not bad on the night except for the not-so-good strike force and the mistake prone defense. I think we need to overhaul our striker force. Ideye should remain in the team but he should be moved backward to play as a supporting striker cos it seems he does better at that position. He doesn't have goal sense.

Musa had a fantastic game in my opinion, do not forget the fact that we played against a stronger opponent. By the way, Ideye scored 27 goals for his club last season., and he doesn't have goal sense?

The good thing is that Nigeria is out

Coachie should go back to the drawing board and get good strikers otherwise if we eventually make it to the world cup, the same fate would become of us.

That Gambo is a criminal

Ideye?? He should have gotten 2.5/10... I think he bribed Keshi to leave hhim for 90 mins so he would be opportuned to Beg Torres for Jersey!!!

we played a good game. we lacked finishing!
my question is this; don't we have a striker with an impeccable shot power and accuracy?
we need such person on the squad...

JideTheBlogger:

Not just that ooo. Can't see the likes of Iroha, Finidi George in this team ooo.

The Finidi-style wing play is no longer used anywhere in the world. The last player with such was David Beckham. And maybe Frank Ribery.

Today's wingers cut in from the wing and lay low pass to a sharp centre forward to finish off, rather than Findi's style of outpacing left back and sending high ball from the wing to drop inside the box with a good header like Adepoju or chester like Yekini to loop into. . I think a polished Musa should be able to do that.

timecop28:
Musa had a fantastic game in my opinion, do not forget the fact that we played against a stronger opponent. By the way, Ideye scored 27 goals for his club last season., and he doesn't have goal sense?

I don't know where he scored 27 goals but as far as strict opponents or even taking his chances are concerned, he's failed. He's not a clinical finisher. That title goes to likes of Uche, Aiyegbeni, Martins etc. He's more of a supporting striker imo.

mikael gets am 8and emyema 6? no
it should be the other way round. enyema saved us from embarrassment!

Afam4eva:
I don't know where he scored 27 goals but as far as strict opponents or even taking his chances are concerned, he's failed. He's not a clinical finisher. That title goes to likes of Uche, Aiyegbeni, Martins etc. He's more of a supporting striker imo.

Dynamo kiev in Ukraine..The league's second top scorer, obviously Nigeria's top scorer in Europe in 2012/2013 season. Do you well remember Uche's performance at the Nations cup?? Aiyegbeni at the World cup?
Quit living in the past bro. These guys mentioned above are finished.

Check his stats by the way..No penalties, No free kicks..They were all goals from open play.

timecop28:
Dynamo kiev in Ukraine..The league's second top scorer, obviously Nigeria's top scorer in Europe in 2012/2013 season. Do you well remember Uche's performance at the Nations cup?? Aiyegbeni at the World cup?
Quit living in the past bro. These guys mentioned above are finished.

Kalu Uche was Nigeria's highest in Europe lats season with 19 goals in Turkey and league's second highest scorer.

lordimpaq:

In my opinion, he should have 6/10 as he held his own and did quite well after his introduction.



The miss was not just unforgiveable, it was blasphemous...he should score [size=13pt]0.5/10[/size]...

timecop28: Check his stats by the way..No penalties, No free kicks..They were all goals from open play.

I still believe in Ideye anyway. He is just having bad days. I believe he has the quality.

I still do not know why Michael Eneramo was not invited by the Technical team. He is big, strong and agile. He would have done more than the flat attackers we presented in the tournament. It is a learning curve though.

timecop28:
Dynamo kiev in Ukraine..The league's second top scorer, obviously Nigeria's top scorer in Europe in 2012/2013 season. Do you well remember Uche's performance at the Nations cup?? Aiyegbeni at the World cup?
Quit living in the past bro. These guys mentioned above are finished.

Uche didn't have a good nations cup but he's a very good player and scorer. He actually didn't have the kind of scoring chances seen in this confederation cup in the Nations cup.

That Ayeigbeni made an error in the world cup does not negate the fact that he's a killer in front of goal. Another reason why Aiyegbeni and other previous strikers were not doing much was because, when they were there, the midfield was not as good as it is now, so they often had to come and fight for balls. They were virtually feeding themselves instead of the midfielders doing that. Now, that we have a better midfield and scoring chances, it takes the likes of these guys to convert those chances.

Keshi should made Ideye and Musa cut their hair. With that Mohawk, Ideye resembles an Armed Robber while Musa resembles almanjiri. An armed Robber's mind will never be stable hence he can't control the ball once, made a good turning and bury the ball inside d net, he headed agood ball directly to the keeper, i repeat, Na army robber he be! Almanjiri's problem na food.
For missing that Goal, it is highly criminous in nature and Gambo should face firing squad.
Above all, Keshi should return 25% of all goodies he got for winning nations cup to Orphanage.
While Martins "Weapon of Mass destruction and the former Inter Milan Whizkid" should be recalled.
I bow my coco.

Jarus, your analysis of the game last night is a bang. We played a good game like you have all pointed out. Our defense even gave the Spanish team a good run. Our only lax as I see it is on our finishers. Keshi should work more on finishing, this is where the Eagles are lagging behind. With this crop of players and a refined, upgraded, rejuvenated attacking force, the eagles will surprise Nigerians and the world at the next World Cup.

pek: mikael gets am 8and emyema 6? no
it should be the other way round. enyema saved us from embarrassment!

u b punk, if mikel knw play dt midfield, dm 4 don score reach 9, cus na him dey push ball forward