TheSuperNerd:
Senegal 1-1 Nigeria : Players Rating – MOTM Ndidi, Iwobi Flops, Top Marks For Ogu, Success & Iheanacho



The Super Eagles of Nigeria yesterday maintained their unbeaten run under coach Gernot Rohr by forcing the Teranga Lions of Senegal to a 1-1 draw in a friendly game played in London yesterday.

Owngoalnigeria.com's Michael James who watched the game live on behalf of this football portal gives his ratings on the performances of the Super Eagles players at The Hive Stadium.


Daniel Akpeyi – Could and should have done better in dealing with the corner kick which lead to the only goal scored by the Senegalese. Made some routine saves but looks unconvincing when it comes to reading corner kicks….. 6/10


Kenneth Omeruo – Preferred ahead of newly invited Tyroone Ebuehi to start at right back, and the on loan Chelsea man didn’t disappoint despite playing out of position. He was very solid in defending but added nothing in terms of joining the attack even when he had the chance…..6.5/10

Elderson Echiejile – Solid display, his best performance in a Super Eagles shirt for a while. Picked up a booking for a needful foul in the second half as Senegal threatened on the counter. One major flaw was his failure to join the attack owing to his abilities to whip in crosses…..7/10


Leon Balogun – Commander in Chief of the Eagles backline. Continued his “Oyibo Wall” partnership with William Troost Ekong at the heart of Nigeria defence,can partly be blamed for Moussa Sow’s goal. However the Mainz 05 man brings about calm, assuredness and organisation to the Eagles defence…..7/10.


William Troost Ekong – Very solid in duels, especially aerial battles although he looks unconvincing with the ball at his feet. Grew into the game in the second half and his physical edge helped him in putting Senegal’s front men in check…..7.5/10


Ogenyi Onazi – The stand in captain lasted just 25 minutes, no thanks to a knee kick to his back which lead to his substitution. For the period he was on, he displayed a willingness to get stuck in and didn’t shy away from physical duels…..4/10


Wilfred Ndidi (Man of The Match)- His touches ooze class, very solid in defending and quick in turning defence into attack, provoked memories of former Super Eagles captain Sunday Oliseh with the way he marshaled the midfield. Ndidi’s passing range has also improved beyond imagination in such a short time. Head and shoulders above every player on the pitch last night…..9/10


Alex Iwobi – Had a game to forget for Nigeria as he was guilty of giving away possession cheaply, and struggled to cope with the physical nature of the game. Was rightly substituted by coach Gernot Rohr in the second half…..5.5/10


Moses Simon – Came to life late into the first half when Nigeria dominated the game, did a whole lot of job defensively for his team, and troubled Senegal with his pace and dribbling abilities. Overall didn’t do too badly but can obviously do better…..7/10


Ahmed Musa – Kept aside all the drama that saw him relinquish his role as deputy captain of the team before the game, to deliver a very solid performance on the right for Nigeria. Used his pace to good effect at both ends of the pitch but finally ball often let him down. Substituted after picking a knock….. 7/10


Kelechi Iheanacho – Tucked the penalty that leveled scores for Nigeria with a shrug, guilty of denying Nigeria a clear chance to win the game when he opt to shoot where a pass would have seen Isacc Success tuck the ball into an empty net late into time added on. Showed quick feet to win the penalty which he converted and his deliveries from free kicks was another angle which caught the eyes…..7.5/10



Substitutes:


John Ogu – Big man, who thrives and loves aerial duels, helped Nigeria gained momentum following his introduction for the injured Onazi after 25 minutes. Combined nicely with Ndidi in the midfield, and shielded the defence from pressure. Ogu had his best game in a while for the Eagles, he looks very fit and mobile for his height and big frame…..8/10



Oghenekaro Etebo – Had Nigeria’s first attempt on target, loves to shoot and wants to always get on the ball. His introduction added pace and urgency to the attack of Nigeria which helped Iheanacho to drag Senegal defenders out of position with his runs behind the defence…..6.5/10


Olarenwaju Kayode – Brought in Pace, strength and determination to help out in defence and attack. Wasted a glorious header from ten yards to score, still did enough to earn a rating higher than average….. 6/10


Isaac Success – Beaten to the man of the match award by Wifred Ndidi by just a fraction. The Watford man showed he has what it takes to be a regular in this team. He went past Sengalese defenders with his mesmerising step overs, power and pace. Gave Kalidou Koulibaly a lot to worry about with his forays from the right. If only he can stay fit he will definitely be a regular in this team…..8.5/10


*Michael James reporting from London



Source: http://owngoalnigeria.com/2017/03/24/senegal-1-1-nigeria-players-rating-motm-ndidi-iwobi-flops-top-marks-for-ogu-success-iheanacho/

tbaba1234:
Highlights NPFL ALL-Stars 11 vs FOOTBALL SHOOL OF INDIA 0


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4tOdPb-qM6Y

maidaboi:
i am disappointed in Nigeria and Senegal two great countries but couldn't aired a simple match

BascoVanVeli:


The guy doing today's game on supersports said the word in India is that these are not the best legs but children whose parents paid alot for them to be there. I think they have collected half a century of goals.

BascoVanVeli:


The guy doing today's game on supersports said the word in India is that these are not the best legs but children whose parents paid alot for them to be there. I think they have collected half a century of goals.

safarigirl:


He plays alongside Success in a 4-4-2 or he plays between Success and Iwobi in a 4-3-3.

TheSuperNerd:
On Ighalo and Ideye.... loll... I just called their names coz normally, their presence will still strike fear into some African teams as Ideye is an Afcon champion with loads of experience and Ighalo's exploits in the EPL is still known plus both are physical kinda players who can hold their own against battering ram teams like Senegal .....



Etebo's performance... well... he didn't really light up the show. But he did enough to battle the physical nature of the game the lions were giving us which made Iwobi lost.

Etebo gave us stability and presence in his role as the AMF. He didn't shy away from getting those legs jammed with the Senegalese in the time he featured.
He also had an effort in the second half parried away for a corner.

Etebo remains the only player in the Eagles who has more lungs and steel than anyone... even more than Ndidi (Ndidi na fireworks on him own sef) and Onazi combined.... he is a powerhouse of an explosive player himself but we didn't see much of his explosive side as he didn't train enough with the team and even arrived late for the game... maybe against Burkina Faso, his A-game will pick up pace...

I'm happy to see that i'm not the only one who has noticed how dreaded that Success-Iheanacho partnership can be. Owngoal even rated Success very highly and he was just a 2nd half sub-in.



And on Success and Iheanacho partnership.... Sir Joebie... this is what Sir theGoodJoe and I have been praying for... He calls it the league of Extraordinary hitmen....


In this league, we also speak of Osimhen (can't wait for him to get the ball rolling at Wolfsburg when he is fully fit), Iwobi as the AMF, and then the backups...

You have spoken correctly about our options in the other department. I think what we need is a solid 9, although with Iheanacho we can survive without a natural 9. And also better options in defense. We need full backs that can really support the attack.

I think Musa Muhammed will become a starter before the world cup. At least 5 of the UAE U-17 boys will be in SE by then. Come to think of Osihmen and Orji Okonkwo as well. The future is definitely bright. Rohr is a lucky man!

I read he spoke with Ola Aina.. Who else are you looking at from the England-born players?



On Good additions to this team.... well, thankfully, Success is finally in.

Now we await the additions of Players like Brian Idowu as cover for Echiejile.... Moses Odubajo as quality option as right back to battle Ebuehi and Musa Mohammed..... Kenny Otigba as cover for our oyibo wall and competition for Agbo and a young Awaziem..... Mikel Agu and Esiti will find it very difficult breaking into our team as Ndidi, Onazi and Ogu are all top quality.... Sone Aluko to compete for the AMF slot even though I feel Iwobi owns it in the long run alongside even Iheanacho....... Henry Onyekuru and Samuel Kalu on the wings as options and covers for our regulars....... Nwokolor and Emma Daniel for our Goalkeeping dept as options to Ikeme and Akpeyi (Alampasu should get his club ish sorted...).


Sometimes I wish Alban Lafont was Nigerian.... loollll....


And ohhh... I just for notification that Brazil killed Uruguay 4-1.... in WC qualifying... Chaaaiiiiii... see why we need quality all over the place in our team....?? We must build a world class team whether we like it or not ooooo.....


Then finally.... Rohr should beam his searchlights on the relevant foreignborn talents we need to beef up our Super Eagles backup quality options...

He has done well to get Ebuehi and Bazee... now a few others hopefully will follow.... especially from England.... within the next one year or less((I know Sir Komekn will love this))

TheSuperNerd:
On Ighalo and Ideye.... loll... I just called their names coz normally, their presence will still strike fear into some African teams as Ideye is an Afcon champion with loads of experience and Ighalo's exploits in the EPL is still known plus both are physical kinda players who can hold their own against battering ram teams like Senegal .....



Etebo's performance... well... he didn't really light up the show. But he did enough to battle the physical nature of the game the lions were giving us which made Iwobi lost.

Etebo gave us stability and presence in his role as the AMF. He didn't shy away from getting those legs jammed with the Senegalese in the time he featured.
He also had an effort in the second half parried away for a corner.

Etebo remains the only player in the Eagles who has more lungs and steel than anyone... even more than Ndidi (Ndidi na fireworks on him own sef) and Onazi combined.... he is a powerhouse of an explosive player himself but we didn't see much of his explosive side as he didn't train enough with the team and even arrived late for the game... maybe against Burkina Faso, his A-game will pick up pace...

I'm happy to see that i'm not the only one who has noticed how dreaded that Success-Iheanacho partnership can be. Owngoal even rated Success very highly and he was just a 2nd half sub-in.



And on Success and Iheanacho partnership.... Sir Joebie... this is what Sir theGoodJoe and I have been praying for... He calls it the league of Extraordinary hitmen....


In this league, we also speak of Osimhen (can't wait for him to get the ball rolling at Wolfsburg when he is fully fit), Iwobi as the AMF, and then the backups...





On Good additions to this team.... well, thankfully, Success is finally in.

Now we await the additions of Players like Brian Idowu as cover for Echiejile.... Moses Odubajo as quality option as right back to battle Ebuehi and Musa Mohammed..... Kenny Otigba as cover for our oyibo wall and competition for Agbo and a young Awaziem..... Mikel Agu and Esiti will find it very difficult breaking into our team as Ndidi, Onazi and Ogu are all top quality.... Sone Aluko to compete for the AMF slot even though I feel Iwobi owns it in the long run alongside even Iheanacho....... Henry Onyekuru and Samuel Kalu on the wings as options and covers for our regulars....... Nwokolor and Emma Daniel for our Goalkeeping dept as options to Ikeme and Akpeyi (Alampasu should get his club ish sorted...).


Sometimes I wish Alban Lafont was Nigerian.... loollll....


And ohhh... I just for notification that Brazil killed Uruguay 4-1.... in WC qualifying... Chaaaiiiiii... see why we need quality all over the place in our team....?? We must build a world class team whether we like it or not ooooo.....


Then finally.... Rohr should beam his searchlights on the relevant foreignborn talents we need to beef up our Super Eagles backup quality options...

He has done well to get Ebuehi and Bazee... now a few others hopefully will follow.... especially from England.... within the next one year or less((I know Sir Komekn will love this))

Mickael2:


guess who had a good game...why Ndidi of Course

guess who didn't have such a good game....why Onazi of course

Nizaar Kinsella

Mickael2:


I'd assume you understood what you typed. you said he is NOT a ball player like Mikel, you didn't compare him euthaNized, you just pointed out that Mikel is a ballplayer and he isnt. So in essence what you said is that is not an intelligent ball player

Fringes:


Its been a while. Your mails were all replied buy I got busy and couldn't follow up appropriately.

I'll drop the link to the Whatsapp group however. We would screen and add members up as limited spaces are available.

https://chat,whatsapp.com/Ki4maBqWpVIECKhwlVjN0f

Mickael2:


Iheanacho scored the penalty with his left foot not right, he rolled it in

Joebie:
i'm sure they are still aware of Ighalo's goals drought.. lol But let me not diminish him. Let's remember him in his good times. But I hope we all agree here the current Super Eagles don't need the duo of Ighalo and Ideye. We've tried him again and again. Especially as we have new players that deserve to be tested. How about Anichebe, physical-wise?

Me I will prefer Etebo as our number 10 oh, Although Mikel is still relevant. But at least it's a good thing that we finally have some good competition in that department.

You have spoken correctly about our options in the other department. I think what we need is a solid 9, although with Iheanacho we can survive without a natural 9. And also better options in defense. We need full backs that can really support the attack.

I think Musa Muhammed will become a starter before the world cup. At least 5 of the UAE U-17 boys will be in SE by then. Come to think of Osihmen and Orji Okonkwo as well. The future is definitely bright. Rohr is a lucky man!

I read he spoke with Ola Aina.. Who else are you looking at from the England-born players?

Joebie:
i'm sure they are still aware of Ighalo's goals drought.. lol But let me not diminish him. Let's remember him in his good times. But I hope we all agree here the current Super Eagles don't need the duo of Ighalo and Ideye. We've tried him again and again. Especially as we have new players that deserve to be tested. How about Anichebe, physical-wise?

Me I will prefer Etebo as our number 10 oh, Although Mikel is still relevant. But at least it's a good thing that we finally have some good competition in that department.

You have spoken correctly about our options in the other department. I think what we need is a solid 9, although with Iheanacho we can survive without a natural 9. And also better options in defense. We need full backs that can really support the attack.

I think Musa Muhammed will become a starter before the world cup. At least 5 of the UAE U-17 boys will be in SE by then. Come to think of Osihmen and Orji Okonkwo as well. The future is definitely bright. Rohr is a lucky man!

I read he spoke with Ola Aina.. Who else are you looking at from the England-born players?

BascoVanVeli:
NPFL Allstars are up 1-0 against Sundowns youth team in the future champions cup.

TheSuperNerd:
Npfl all stars u-19 side right?

Sir Basco... that reminds me....

Thanks for providing local content from the home front here too.... really beautiful.... I noticed it couple of pages back and here you are doing it again.... really splendid.

goldfish80:

I've read through some minute by minute account of the game from various sources and from what I gathered Onazi was heralded for playing a captain's game till he got injured.
You're not doing your reputation any good with some biased and prejudiced comments you've been making over the last few days.

TheSuperNerd:
Well... yeah.... Sir Komekn do have brilliant posts... buttttttt..... he must take back those words on Isaac The Beast Success......



There is a reason I call that Dude the Beast... and he just showed part of it today...

Kog45:
Ndidi great guy but on Onazi d guy had good 25 mins b4 d injury,so what are u saying coz we want healthy rivalry in d team not pulling one down and praising d other syndrome.

komekn:


A match doesn't make a player a season yes but not just one match.

I still haven't seen the match, but the comments made so far particularly by the more objective participants on this forum didn't highlight him as exceptional. And not those who are a bit blinded by exuberant patriotic sentimentality for our boy's and have rose tinted glasses.

But my opinion remains the same. £12.5 million price tag for striker that scored 7 goals in 49 starts for Granada a lowly La Liga side doesn't inspire confidence. I am sure you all know why that money was paid, Italian mafia.

To date he hasn't done anything in the EPL injury or no injury he still a waste man. When he plays he doesn't impose himself on the game, for striker he has very limited presence.

His own manager irrespective of the huge price tag does not rate him. Maybe I should be a bit more diplomatic and say he is a striker with considerable promise that we will be waiting to see him express himself fully this decade.

Certitude:

I was also surprised if it was the same success who turned bailey inside out. maybe komekn didn't get to watch him before injury. Nobody replied that comment till now.

chimzyblack:
Nobody is talking about how iwobi totally got lost in the game.
Currently there is no one like Mikel in that team.

komekn:


A match doesn't make a player a season yes but not just one match.

I still haven't seen the match, but the comments made so far particularly by the more objective participants on this forum didn't highlight him as exceptional. And not those who are a bit blinded by exuberant patriotic sentimentality for our boy's and have rose tinted glasses.

But my opinion remains the same. £12.5 million price tag for striker that scored 7 goals in 49 starts for Granada a lowly La Liga side doesn't inspire confidence. I am sure you all know why that money was paid, Italian mafia.

To date he hasn't done anything in the EPL injury or no injury he still a waste man. When he plays he doesn't impose himself on the game, for striker he has very limited presence.

His own manager irrespective of the huge price tag does not rate him. Maybe I should be a bit more diplomatic and say he is a striker with considerable promise that we will be waiting to see him express himself fully this decade.

chimzyblack:
Nobody is talking about how iwobi totally got lost in the game.
Currently there is no one like Mikel in that team.

komekn:


A match doesn't make a player a season yes but not just one match.

I still haven't seen the match, but the comments made so far particularly by the more objective participants on this forum didn't highlight him as exceptional. And not those who are a bit blinded by exuberant patriotic sentimentality for our boy's and have rose tinted glasses.

But my opinion remains the same. £12.5 million price tag for striker that scored 7 goals in 49 starts for Granada a lowly La Liga side doesn't inspire confidence. I am sure you all know why that money was paid, Italian mafia.

To date he hasn't done anything in the EPL injury or no injury he still a waste man. When he plays he doesn't impose himself on the game, for striker he has very limited presence.

His own manager irrespective of the huge price tag does not rate him. Maybe I should be a bit more diplomatic and say he is a striker with considerable promise that we will be waiting to see him express himself fully this decade.

komekn:


In football there is no time for sentimentality sometimes. Your only as good as your last game or your last season. If you get injured how you come back can determine your level present and continous.

Once Michael Owen got injured he never got back and his carrier ended. He lost pace and the rest is history.

The proposition you make, get as he be now bros see as u deh talk. I know see de guy before he was injured

To be brutal it's irrelevant, it is how he is playing now that matters not before. It's the same reasoning that made them invite Osimhen who has not played a competitive game for ages and is injured. We do not rely on past glory.

You are neglecting the fact that Rohr is more than a manager to these young players. He is also their motivator, support and Adviser too. If Rohr sees a player that has the potential of being a top quality star for the Super Eagles, it is within his right to sort them out.

Walter Mazzari is not giving Success the playing time he needs and from Success statement, he disagrees that he is not fit. Rohr met with Isaac Success and he discussed with him.

Just like I Cried before and our indigenous coaches should learn from the Experienced (Icon4s the last time before the ban) coach to pick his stars and build them.

Just like Rohr announced when Etebo was injured that he was interested in Etebo, Rohr sees brilliance in Osimhen and Success. Rohr has a mission to expose thier brilliance using the National team. With Success performance in this game and Etebo's frightening performance in the last, we can clearly see Rohr has his eyes for talents.

It is time for us to watch the Master Tactician work and see what he wants to do with Osimhen and quit the whole injury/playing time critique.