AFCON 2023: Nigeria U20 Vs Senegal U20

The Flying Eagles were looking to begin their hunt for an eighth African crown, but Senegal proved to be better than them in their opening game

Nigeria’s Under-20 team the Flying Eagles lost to Senegal in their opening game of the 2023 Under-20 Africa Cup of Nations by a lone goal.

It was a disjointed performance from both teams, but Senegal edged it slightly thanks to a first-half strike from Souleymane Faye. Nigeria was poor on the night, with only their first shot on target coming after 86 minutes.

Soccernet rates the performances of the players

Nathaniel Nwosu 6/10:  Nwosu had little to do on the night. However, when it mattered most especially in the Senegal goal, he could not step up. Nonetheless, he showed good control of his lines and looked assured when aerial balls came into the box.

Solomon Agbalaka 5.8/10: Agbalaka had a decent day in the office. He was strong in defense. But he could not prevent Senegal from scoring.

Daniel Bameyi 6/10: Bameyi had a good game. He was aggressive when aerial balls arrived in the box, and he did his best to hold Faye except when he scored.

Benjamin Frederick 6/10: Fredrick was also good on the night. He made a few blocks. Although he looked shaky a few times, he held his own.

Augustine Njoku 5.8/10: Njoku was caught out of position a few times, but he was decent. He tried to support the attack, but he did not do anything meaningful.

Onuche Ogbelu 6/10: Ogbelu was decent in midfield. He was caught off guard a few times. Still, he held his own. He made some good plays, but nothing tangible came out of those.

Daniel Daga 5.8/10: The Captain of the side could have done better against Senegal. He was caught in possession a few times, and he misplaced a few passes.

Ibrahim Muhammad 5.8/10: Muhammad had a poor game. He did not offer much in attack. And he failed to create any meaningful chance.

Samson Lawal 5.5/10: The 18-year-old was tasked with the job of creating plays for the Flying Eagles, but he did not offer any form of creativity in attack.

Rilwanu Sarki 5.5/10: Sarki had a poor game. His dribbles were off, and he was often dispossessed. He failed to connect with Adams who was leading the line.

Olamilekan Adams 5/10: Adam’s got very little service. He failed to get a shot on goal in his 74 minutes of play.

Emma Uchegbu 5/10: Uchegbu was introduced into the game to try to create something tangible in the final third, but he did not offer much. His passes were often displaced. He showed a few glimpses of brilliance with some dribbles, but it did not amount to anything.

Sunday Jude 5/10: Jude was introduced into the game in the second half to liven Nigeria’s attack. But he was poor.