Ppogbae:
Look at the flag they used during the pregame walkout...

jihday:
Not DRC but Congo

andrewbaba44:


E no really get doubters nah

Apart from the one wey say Fulham better pass Porto

BascoVanVeli:


Abeg let's not pay attention to that stuff. Both teams gave a good account of West African football.

ChrisKels:


I no get strength to argue, but you should know that no reasonable coach selects same kinda strikers, otherwise he will find it hard to vary or tweak his tactics at the heat of an encounter. That was what played out today.

Ppogbae:


Agreed. Wasn't implying any political statement. Was just making an observation.

BascoVanVeli:



Oh no I just meant we shouldn't expect things to be perfect.

Odunayaw:
The coat of arms is on the flag? What's so wrong with that?

BascoVanVeli:
Why dem no follow shout this one like market women

Ppogbae:


He only shines when he has good players around him

BascoVanVeli:
Why dem no follow shout this one like market women

BascoVanVeli:



I'm tired of Rohr asking players to perform tasks and then taking them off when his plan does not work. He will turn around and claim Iheanacho didn't have a good game when it was clear he did what his coach asked

Icon79:
Nacho did OK. He was just getting tired that’s what necessitated the change. I think he starts again on Tuesday with Osihmen. Onuachu remains a backup, if we need to play a different style or try something different.


O pari

BascoVanVeli:
Why dem no follow shout this one like market women

Philosopher1979:


We should not let that Onuachu goal deceive us. His all round play is too poor to lead an attack for us. He can come in to use his aerial strength that's all.

1realBobby:
As in ehn... This guy is a few years away from being world class... He owns the entire wing whenever he plays... And so much confidence

chrisooblog:
yeah KC dropping deep didn't allow his game to flourish. He hasn't played the number 10 position effectively since his under-17 days. The little I saw of him in the final third today I feel in my opinion he was very dangerous. Remember in the first half when he took out a couple of Benin defenders and Unleashed a powerful shot which their keeper saved. I feel Alex was really missed today. He would have advanced the ball to the strikers more often.

andrewbaba44:


Onauchu no valuable but e win the game

Banuso99:
Super Eagles Player Ratings
The slim win over Benin Republic ensures that the Super Eagles will be top of the Group L table in the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers after it is concluded next week.

Gernot Rohr's team secured all three points thanks to Paul Onuachu's headed goal in the third minute of stoppage time.

Izuchukwu Okosi rates the performance of the players on Saturday. This person is sick. What did Aina do to deserve a 7.5 rating higher than Sanusi? Did we watch a different match? Again Onuachu doesn't deserve a 8. You score goal no mean say your rating go pass others own. Many hard better game than him, save the lucky goal.

The Starters

Goalkeeper

Maduka Okoye : The Sparta Rotterdam keeper was not troubled in the first half but had some nervous moments in the second half of the game. 6/10.

Defenders

Ola Aina : The Fulham right back grew better in the game as it progressed. The highlight of his first half was a cross field pass to Henry Onyekuru which almost led to a goal scoring chance. 7.5/10

Zaidu Sanusi : The Porto left back was one of the bright spots in the Super Eagles side with lost of his crosses almost leading to something productive. He did give away some and his defending was assured. 7/10.

Leon Balogun : The center back was put under immense pressure in the first half but he improved in the second half. Held the ball well and put in the body when required. 8/10.

William Troost-Ekong : The captain of the day was good at the back and was also upfront a few times in search of a goal albeit the Eagles had numerous chances from corner kicks but none were utilized. 7/10.

Midfielders and Attackers

Wilfred Ndidi : He broke up plays a few times but he did give away the ball a few times as well. 6/10.

Joe Aribo : His ball retention was good while he was able to find the forward players but his efforts to fall back and help the defence was not so spectacular as his defensive shift was not the best. 6/10.

Kelechi Iheanacho : The Leicester striker rattled the palms of the Benin keeper in the 8th minute with a powerful shot but he was anonymous after that brilliant effort for lost of the game. Subbed off in the second half of the game. 6/10.

Henry Onyekuru : He was the brightest player for the Nigerian side especially in the first half as his link up play was impressive. He was also denied from a diving header as well. 7/10.

Samuel Chukwueze : Operating from the right wing where he cuts infield on his left foot, Chukwueze had a good game but definitely not his best in the Eagles jersey. He had a 27th minute corner kick which was almost mishandled by the Benin keeper Allagbe. 7/10.

Victor Osimhen : The Napoli man was a constant threat to the hosts. Almost had his close effort becoming the winner which was cleared. However Onuachu scored with a header from the rebound. 7/10.


The Substitutes

Paul Onuachu : A great impact coming off the bench to score the needed goal from close range with a header. 8/10.

Anayo Iwuala : The Enyimba wide man was brought on in place of Henry Onyekuru and he showed some flashes of brilliance but his desire to impress the coaches saw him wasting some chances that his teammates could have converted. 6/10.

Chidozie Awaziem : Brought in place of Ola Aina to shore up the back line. Didn't do much though. 5/10.


Izuchhukwu Okosi

Philosopher1979:


We should not let that Onuachu goal deceive us. His all round play is too poor to lead an attack for us. He can come in to use his aerial strength that's all.

BascoVanVeli:
Why dem no follow shout this one like market women

JohnBullMySon:
Stop talking nonsense. Onuachu's ball handling is very good.

Banuso99:
Super Eagles Player Ratings
The slim win over Benin Republic ensures that the Super Eagles will be top of the Group L table in the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers after it is concluded next week.

Gernot Rohr's team secured all three points thanks to Paul Onuachu's headed goal in the third minute of stoppage time.

Izuchukwu Okosi rates the performance of the players on Saturday.

The Starters

Goalkeeper

Maduka Okoye : The Sparta Rotterdam keeper was not troubled in the first half but had some nervous moments in the second half of the game. 6/10.

Defenders

Ola Aina : The Fulham right back grew better in the game as it progressed. The highlight of his first half was a cross field pass to Henry Onyekuru which almost led to a goal scoring chance. 7.5/10

Zaidu Sanusi : The Porto left back was one of the bright spots in the Super Eagles side with lost of his crosses almost leading to something productive. He did give away some and his defending was assured. 7/10.

Leon Balogun : The center back was put under immense pressure in the first half but he improved in the second half. Held the ball well and put in the body when required. 8/10.

William Troost-Ekong : The captain of the day was good at the back and was also upfront a few times in search of a goal albeit the Eagles had numerous chances from corner kicks but none were utilized. 7/10.

Midfielders and Attackers

Wilfred Ndidi : He broke up plays a few times but he did give away the ball a few times as well. 6/10.

Joe Aribo : His ball retention was good while he was able to find the forward players but his efforts to fall back and help the defence was not so spectacular as his defensive shift was not the best. 6/10.

Kelechi Iheanacho : The Leicester striker rattled the palms of the Benin keeper in the 8th minute with a powerful shot but he was anonymous after that brilliant effort for lost of the game. Subbed off in the second half of the game. 6/10.

Henry Onyekuru : He was the brightest player for the Nigerian side especially in the first half as his link up play was impressive. He was also denied from a diving header as well. 7/10.

Samuel Chukwueze : Operating from the right wing where he cuts infield on his left foot, Chukwueze had a good game but definitely not his best in the Eagles jersey. He had a 27th minute corner kick which was almost mishandled by the Benin keeper Allagbe. 7/10.

Victor Osimhen : The Napoli man was a constant threat to the hosts. Almost had his close effort becoming the winner which was cleared. However Onuachu scored with a header from the rebound. 7/10.


The Substitutes

Paul Onuachu : A great impact coming off the bench to score the needed goal from close range with a header. 8/10.

Anayo Iwuala : The Enyimba wide man was brought on in place of Henry Onyekuru and he showed some flashes of brilliance but his desire to impress the coaches saw him wasting some chances that his teammates could have converted. 6/10.

Chidozie Awaziem : Brought in place of Ola Aina to shore up the back line. Didn't do much though. 5/10.


Izuchhukwu Okosi

DrKlever:
what is the nonsense he is talking. Would you let an Onuachu lead an attack for us? He can come in as substitute and use his aerial presence to cause havoc.

JohnBullMySon:
Philosopher likes to criticize too much. No one said Onuachu should lead an attack. Same as Iheanacho, But to to say he plays nothing other than head balls is wrong. I watched him at times. he can hold down the ball comfortably to pull defenders out of position and pass the ball to a free player. We just over criticize him because he lacks pace and plays "casually". Pace is not the only thing needed in football.

A counter attacking game may not suit him, but I bet you he will score goals in possessive high pressing games.

DrKlever:
The real Monster machine. Unfortunately he is playing in a shitty Napolian side that doesn't feed him the ball. Unlike Haaland playing against baby defenders in the farmers league and padding goals. Let him come and score again Man city in UCl let's see how good he is.

JohnBullMySon:
Philosopher likes to criticize too much. No one said Onuachu should lead an attack. Same as Iheanacho, But to to say he plays nothing other than head balls is wrong. I watched him at times. he can hold down the ball comfortably to pull defenders out of position and pass the ball to a free player. We just over criticize him because he lacks pace and plays "casually". Pace is not the only thing needed in football.

[/b]A counter attacking game may not suit him, but I bet you he will score goals in possessive high pressing games[b].

DrKlever:
The real Monster machine. Unfortunately he is playing in a shitty Napolian side that doesn't feed him the ball. Unlike Haaland playing against baby defenders in the farmers league and padding goals. Let him come and score again Man city in UCl let's see how good he is.

edi287:

Exactly. Onuachu isn't nearly as bad on the ball as some are making him out to be.
Osimhen is of course more dynamic but there's no way this dude should not be getting invited.