AFCON 2021: Nigeria Vs Guinea-Bissau player ratings- Troost-Ekong is the commander in chief, Moses is indispensable

The Super Eagles are the first side to win all three group games at the Africa Cup of Nations after beating Guinea-Bissau 2-0.

Augustine Eguavoen had a few tweaks to the team, but it was a great performance from the team, as their quality showed over the Wild dogs of Guinea-Bissau.

Soccernet gives the ratings of some of these players according to their performances.

Francis Uzoho, 7/10: Uzoho replaced Maduka in between the sticks, and he was quite outstanding. The Guinea-Bissauans had some good chances, but the Omonia man was at hand to parry them away.

Semi Ajayi, 7.5: Ajayi had an excellent performance, he fitted into the central defence seamlessly and his clearances were timely. He also gave the Guinea-Bissauans a tough time going past him by using his strength to bully them.

The West Brom man also used his aerial ability to help the Super Eagles attack, but he was unable to hit the target.

William Troost-Ekong, 8.5/10: The Watford man had a rough time at his club before the AFCON, but he has risen from all that. Captain Troost-Ekong had another outstanding night, he was solid on the night, and his evening was brought to a climax when he scored the second goal of the game.

However, some of his passes were poor.

Jamilu Collins, 7/10: Collins had a solid night. The Paderborn man had some good attacking runs, but his crossing was poor on the night. At times, he was caught off guard, but he always recovered fast and returned to snuff out the attacks on his wing.

Tyrone Ebuehi, 7/10: The Venezia man had a decent outing on his first start. He put up a good performance, but at times he struggled with the pace of the Guinea-Bissau attackers. He also did not offer much in attack.

Alex Iwobi, 6/10: Iwobi had a good game, he started his first game of the tournament, but he failed to produce much up front, he did not even do better that Chukwueze who he replaced on the right.

Nevertheless, his touches were good and his passing was okay. But he did not provide much bite in attack.

Wilfred Ndidi 7.5/10: The Leicester City man continues to prove which he is the most expensive midfielder in Africa. He was a rock in midfield, controlling the tempo and breaking down every attack that came by. His passing was also on point, and he adjusted seamlessly to his new partner in midfield Nwakali.

Kelechi Nwakali, 7/10: The former Arsenal man made his full debut for the Super Eagles, and he was outstanding. He and Ndidi had a good partnership in midfield. Nwakali showed his ability to tread long passes, and if not for Umar’s profligacy, Nigeria could have had a goal from one of his passes.

Chidera Ejuke, 5.5/10: Ejuke failed to exert himself in the game. A gifted dribbler he is, but he was unable to create any big chance for Nigeria. He failed to attack the Guinea-Bissau defence, and most times he returned the ball to Jamilu Collins instead of pressing forward.

Sadiq Umar, 7/10: The Almeria striker had got his full debut for the Super Eagles. In the opening minutes of the game, he struggled to handle the ball whenever it was on his feet. But he put himself about in the Guinea-Bissau defence.

Umar could have scored in the first half, but he lost the chance due to his poor decision making.

However, he redeemed himself after his calm finish which gave Nigeria the lead.

Kelechi Iheanacho 6.5/10: Iheanacho had a good game, he was good in attack, linking the midfield and attack. However he struggled to form a good partnership with Umar. But his night was given a boost after his audacious assist for Umar’s goal.

Substitutes

Moses Simon, 8/10: once again, Moses parted another defence just like the biblical Moses parted the Red Sea. His introduction to the game just proved his importance to the team, he was outstanding, his dribbling left Guinea-Bissau in tatters and it was his effort that caused the second goal.

Peter Olayinka, 6/10: the Slavia Prague man got his first minutes of the tournament, and he looked very sharp. Olayinka was always ready to run, and always made himself available to receive the ball. He could have gotten an assist late in the game, but for Simon’s wayward shot.