Super Eagles players’ ratings Vs Ghana: Uzoho is brilliant on return, defence hold their own

The Super Eagles of Nigeria went away to the Baba Yara Stadium to pick a 0-0 result against Ghana in the first leg of their Qatar 2022 World Cup qualifier.

The game was pretty balanced, with both sides creating few chances, but nothing concrete really emerged as both sides had to settle for a goalless stalemate.

Some Super Eagles stars were excellent on the night, while some were pretty much average. Soccernet rates the performances of the stars that were in action for Nigeria.

Francis Uzoho, 8/10: Uzoho was brilliant on his return to the goalposts for Nigeria. The Omonia man filled in brilliantly for first-choice shot-stopper Maduka Okoye who is currently out with Covid-19. Uzoho organised his defenders properly and was always on hand to make brilliant interventions when he was needed.

William Troost-Ekong, 7.5/10: he was captain fantastic on the night. Despite his lack of game time at his club, Troost-Ekong was fit as a fiddle, as he helped in silencing the Ghanaian attack. He made some exceptional tackles when Nigeria was under pressure, and his positioning was also decent.

Leon Balogun 6.5/10: the Rangers man played smart football on the night. Although slower than the Ghanaian attackers, Balogun’s tried to make up for it with some decent tackles. He was untidy in some instances, but Troost-Ekong covered for him.

Ola Aina, 7.5/10: Aina has not played a game for Torino since he returned from the Africa Cup of Nations. But he showed his club what they are missing out on, as he was disciplined on the night, repelling every attack that came his way. He also made some attacking bursts, but nothing came from them. However, he did his primary duty, which was to ensure that the right-wing was on lockdown.

Zaidu Sanusi, 7/10: the Porto speedster had a good showing, ensuring that he kept Abdul Fatawu in check. He brought his physicality into play and he occasional brilliant runs in attack. Overall, it was a disciplined show from the left-back.

Innocent Bonke, 6.5/10: Bonke was decent in the defensive midfield role. He struggled to flow with Aribo at times, but he was a pain in the neck of the Ghanaians. He made a few needless tackles, but his ball retention was brilliant.

Joe Aribo, 6.5/10: the Rangers man did not thoroughly gel with Bonke in the middle of the park, but his presence in midfield was surely felt. He was constantly in duels against the Black Stars, and most times, he came out on top. He could have scored in the first half, but he ballooned the ball above the bar.

Kelechi Iheanacho, 5.5/10: the Leicester City man was tasked with creating opportunities for the Super Eagles, but he failed. He only created one clear cut opportunity and could not exert himself in the game. It was an underwhelming night for Iheanacho.

Moses Simon, 5.5/10: Simon was a shadow of the fiery winger we saw at AFCON. The Nantes man failed to create anything from the left. His dribbling was poor on the night. He offered some defensive assistance, but asides from that, he added nothing else. He even missed a sitter!

Samuel Chukwueze, 5.8: Chukwueze looked dangerous from the wings at times, but he could not create anything decent. However, he had a few good spells in the attack. Still, the Villarreal man could have done better.