By Douglas Baye-Osagie

Stanley Nwanbali 7/10

Kept under pressure with the frequency of the back passing and the onslaught of the Congolese attack but made some decent saves to keep the game open and couldn’t be blamed for the goal the team conceded. He did very well to save 2 penalties during the shootout.

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Calvin Bassey 5/10

Characteristically played with a lot of energy but was caught out of position for the Congo equalizer. His penalty during the shootout was a rugby kick and began the pressure on the rest of the takers.

Semi Ajayi 4/10

Came into the lineup and struggled to calmly pass the ball out of defense. His frequent back passes to the goalkeeper kept the team under immense pressure all day, and he also failed to stop the cross that led to the Congolese goal. His penalty miss during the shootout sealed a bad evening.

Benjamin Frederick 6/10

Came under intense pressure all day as most of the Congolese attack came through his flank. He dealt with one-on-ones decently but found it tiring as the game went on and started making errors before he was substituted.

Zaidu 6/10

He had an averagely decent game and was responsible for the cross that led to Nigeria’s opening goal (Onyeka’s goal). As the pressure on the Super Eagles mounted, he was forced to sit back, which reduced his attacking strength, and he tired, leading to his substitution.

Wilfred Ndidi 5/10

He didn’t replicate the form of the last game against Gabon, and his sloppy clearance served as an assist for the Congolese equalizer. It was wondered why he didn’t step up for a penalty kick as one of the leaders of the team.

Frank Onyeka 6/10

Was energetic at the start of the game, and his shot produced the opening goal. Though he slotted well in midfield, he couldn’t drive the ball forward when the pressure on the Super Eagles began.

Alex Iwobi 5/10

Didn’t have the best game by his standards. He was caught off guard in the middle of the pack as he lost possession, which led to the Congolese equalizer. He didn’t impact the game until he was stretchered off.

Ademola Lookman 4/10

Failed to make any impression for the Super Eagles since the season’s unrest with Atalanta. He passed what could have been an assist for the second goal but for Ndidi and Chukwueze, who ran into themselves. That was Lookman’s only contribution to the game before he was substituted.

Samuel Chukwueze 3/10

Had to understand what his role was, whether to play as a midfielder or from the wing. A poor display from a player who was expected to create chances for the attack.

Victor Osimhen 5/10

Struggled alone upfront as the lone striker until he left the game during halftime. Nigerians’ hope faded away when he left the pitch because his high pressing kept the Congolese backwards but they came all out when he departed.

Substitutes

Moses Simon 3/10

Didn’t impact the game with no quality play. His greatest contribution to the team might be his academy product, Benjamin Frederick, who is now a Super Eagles regular. He might be considering retiring after almost a decade with the Super Eagles. His experience didn’t help the team in the shootout as he missed a penalty.

Chidera Ejuke 5/10

Was poor in his decision-making and couldn’t improve on Chukwueze’s performance, but the penalty he scored redeemed his game.

Akor Adams 5/10

Struggled as the lone striker and couldn’t create chances or match the pressing on the goalkeeper like Osimhen. He calmly slotted his penalty during the shootout.

Tolu Arokodare 4/10

Should have scored a header if he had directed the ball goalwards. He struggled to link up with Adams and was taken off before the penalty shootout.

Bruno Onyemaechi 5/10

Brought some life into the game and was calm enough to score during the shootout.

Chigozie Awaziem

Barely touched the ball and can’t be rated.

Coach’s Rating

Eric Chelle 4/10

Made a big mistake in altering the back four that started the last game against Gabon. It killed the flair and balance of the team. Playing the ball from the back was the reason why it seemed they had an extra man against Gabon. This wasn’t the type of game to start Ajayi in, as he doesn’t play with the ball on his foot.

Also, when you know the Congolese were always sitting back from the start, I felt he should have started Adams alongside Osimhen to kill off the game before they came out. Why did you invite Alhassan Yusuf all the way from America if you can’t trust him to energize your midfield in two games, and why was Uche Chrisantus left out of the team? And why was Troost Ekong not brought in in place of Awaziem in the last minute of the game? Chelle had the players to win this but made some tactical errors.

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