Nigeria vs. Benin 3:0 Review and Player Ratings

Nigeria vs. Benin 3:0 Review and Player Ratings

The Super Eagles produced a performance that would definitely have delighted the fans in their emphatic 3:0 victory against Benin in their Afcon qualifier curtain raiser. Lookman grabbed a brace with Osihmen marking his return with a well taken volley.

Yes it is early days but this outcome has already ignited the debate as to whether interim head coach Austin Eguavoen should be retained. When I saw the line up, it was clear to me that Eguavoen had learnt a thing or two from the outcomes of himself and recent coaches.

He elected for a defensive formation which actually played out more offensive in application as the Super Eagles pressed the Beninoise higher up the pitch, taking the fight to Benin. As I suspected, they also played with a high level of discipline, focus and concentration with sharp attention to positional details.

Eguavoen promised 6 points in these encounters and he is halfway to his objectives. Should he deliver, calls for him and his coaching team to be retained on a permanent basis will be too loud and intrusive to ignore.

For now, I quickly look at my player ratings.

1) Stanley Nwabili: He produced an excellent save to punch away a powerful freekick. He looked cool and composed in his demeanour, capturing the essence of a competent goalkeeper in perception. But he was a bit indecisive once when he was closed down before clearing the ball. He executed basic passing routines without issues and kept a clean sheet. 6/10

2) Ola Aina: He combined well with colleagues at the right to orchestrate decent passages of attacking play. He implemented some neat tackles and interceptions, one such with Ajayi to shut down Benin strikers. He succeeded in breaking out of the defensive wall to execute clearances. He positioned a bit high, trying to be an outlet for offensive passes. His positioning also succeeded in helping the team fend off Benin players, thereby keeping Nigeria on the front foot. Some would argue he didn’t influence the game as he is capable of doing. 6/10

3) Bruno Onyemaechi : He saw a lot of action earlier on. He was very progressive, purposeful and penetrative with his runs and deliveries. A delightfully delivered low cross to Boniface caught the eye after one of his many overlapping runs. He was alert defensively too, executing some neat tackles, interceptions and blockages. His runs emphasised the offensive dimension of Eguavoen’s strategy. 7/10

4) William Troost Ekong: He succeeded in helping the team build out from the back with simple sideways passes that were key aspects of the routine. The 3-man wall worked with Ekong in the centre because of his maturity and calmness. Long balls from him were few and far between though but when the team were under pressure; his presence in marking off Benin strikers was invaluable; as were his clearances in the air and on the ground. 7/10

5) Semi Ajayi: He excelled in delivering a plethora of cross-field and direct long balls from defence to attack. His tackles, interceptions and markings were on the money! He played with a high level of urgency; balancing both the defensive and offensive aspects of his role with hunger and competence (like a man with something to prove). He proved competent in some aerial battles deep in Nigeria’s box 18. One of his long balls the key-assist to Lookman’s first goal 7/10

6) Calvin Bassey: He is fast becoming a slight weak-link, incurring a free-kick in a dangerous area that almost proved costly. He seemed shaky and insecure at times. But he delivered neat passes on the ground to help the team retain possession. His timing might be dubious at times but when he tackled and intercepted, these were competently implemented. He combined well with others but his position will be in threat if he doesn’t add greater composure to his overall presentation. 6/10

7) Wilfred Ndidi: He was surprisingly progressive in his play, always willing to help progress the ball into enemy territory. He provided the pre-assist to Lookman’s first goal with a nice lay-off to Ajayi. His passes, largely sideways, were delivered to players who would progress the ball higher up the pitch. His work-rate was commendable and the midfield was not over-run. He attempted to run forward with the ball before being halted, even at that, his willingness can’t be faulted. 7/10

8) Samuel Chukwueze: He executed a fabulously wicked freekick from just outside the 18 yard box stung the palm of the Benin goalkeeper to go over the bar. He was marked out by the Benin defenders who descended on him like a pack of wolves. Still, he had a good game in my view, providing an outlet for passes and looking to drive into dangerous areas. His passes were progressive and he never shirked the issue, always looking to make something happen. 7.5/10

9) Ademola Lookman: What a player! I didn’t see the second goal but I thank the heavens for seeing the first one. Collecting a long pass with eloquent ball control, he gyrated through 3 opposition defenders inside the 18 yard box to finish with aplomb. His interaction with his colleagues upfront gave rise to a number of scoring opportunities. He pressed well from the front and helped dispossess the Beninoise of the ball on occasions. He rounded the keeper once before being dispossessed. He looked sharp, purposeful and dangerous; a real star player with neat touches, decent passes and excellent movements. 8.5/10

10) Alex Iwobi: He was his usual self with nice, cute and simple passes. He succeeded in providing some excitingly dangerous moments like through pass to Lookman who rounded the goalkeeper. His touches were progressive, often releasing other players to run towards goal. He combined very well with others with his positioning. His movements supported the structural integrity of the formation. 7/10

11) Victor Boniface: His positioning helped him get into very dangerous areas. He almost latched on to several crosses before being disrupted by Benin goalkeeper and defenders. I loved the way he pressed from the front, adding an offensive dimension to the formation and tactical approach of Eguavoen. He seemed slightly heavy but still produced an all-round acceptable performance. 6.5/10

Subs:

12) Victor Osihmen: He took his goal well with a neat volley and he came close to adding to it with good positioning. He was intense and expansive in his movements. 7/10

13) Fisayo Dele-Bashiru: He was progressive in his play, always seeking to drive into enemy territory with penetrative runs and forward passes. He positional awareness was spot on and he helped the team retain possession several with good first touch and an ability to fend off his markers before passing to his colleagues. 7/10

14) Moses Simon: He weaved his movements comfortably into the fabric of the formation from the flanks with runs that helped him connect with the ball before passing to others. 6.5/10

15) Olisa Ndah: He looked rearing to go and slotted neatly in the backline. His movements were in sync with the other defenders in a way that didn’t imperil the back line. 5/10

16) Bright Onyedika: He helped the team shore up the midfield with his off-the-ball movements. He would not be overwhelmed or overrun. 4/10

Coach Austin Eguavoen: Well, his choice of 4-3-4 formation delivered resounding success. His player selection was spot on. His substitution was timely with the decision to play Osihmen as a sub helped him bed into the game smoothly. His combination of a defensive formation with an attacking orientation delivered the goods across many levels.