Nigeria vs Cape Verde player ratings: Ighalo flops on his return, Osimhen brilliant

The three-time African champions secured their place in the CAF 2022 World Cup qualifiers playoff round following a draw against the Blue Sharks 

Nigeria’s Super Eagles played out a 1-1 draw against Cape Verde in their final group game in the 2022 World Cup qualifier.

Victor Osimhen opened the scoring for the Super Eagles, but Stopira levelled scores for Cape Verde to ensure a share of the spoils.

The draw means the Super Eagles progress to the final playoff round ahead of the Blue Sharks.

Here is how Soccernet rated the Nigerian players.

Maduka Okoye (6): He was slightly at fault for the equaliser as he could have done more. Otherwise, he was largely untroubled.

William Troost-Ekong (5): The Watford man gave away the corner that led to the equaliser, and also lost his marker as the corner kick was taken.

Leon Balogun (6): The Rangers defender was calm in possession and dealt well with his challenges.

Chidozie Awaziem (7): Awaziem was once again brilliant in a three-man defence. Timed his tackles well and kept his cool under pressure.

Jamilu Collins (6): The Paderborn defender was solid defensively, but poor going forward. His deliveries were not up to standard.

Wilfred Ndidi (6): It was not the best of games for the Leicester City man. Lucky to stay on the pitch after he only received a yellow card for an elbow in the first half.

Joe Aribo (6): Again, not the best of performance from the Rangers star. He got into some promising positions, though, and was denied by Cape Verde’s goalkeeper in the first half.

Alex Iwobi (6): Iwobi tried to set up Osimhen on a couple of occasions, but he never had a strong foothold on the game.

Moses Simon (5): He helped out defensively, but was poor in the attack, particularly with his set-piece delivery.

Odion Ighalo (5): The Al-Shabab made his return to the team almost three years after retiring, but it was not an impressive return for him. His hold-up play was decent but missed a couple of chances to put Nigeria ahead.

Victor Osimhen (8): Nigeria’s best player on the night. He got the opening goal and was a thorn in the flesh of Cape Verde defence. Pressed very well and ran tirelessly.

Subs 

Shehu Abdullahi (5): Came on for Simon and did just enough.

Kelechi Iheanacho: Late sub for Ighalo.

Paul Onuachu: Late sub for Osimhen