U23 AFCON: How Olympic Eagles Rated Vs Cote d'Ivoire

U23 AFCON: How Olympic Eagles Rated Vs Cote d'Ivoire

By Ademetan Abayomi

Spartak Trnava midfielder Aliyu Yau Adam and defender Bitok Stephen were Nigeria's best performers in their 1-0 loss to Cote d'Ivoire in the 2019 U23 AFCON Group B clash on Saturday afternoon.

Ten-man Olympic Eagles suffered a painful 1-0 loss after Silas Gnaka fired home a controversial penalty that didn't looked to have crossed the line in the 71st minute at the Al Salam Stadium in Cairo.

Defender Harold Ndah was Nigeria's worst performer as his organizational abilities and failure to compose himself led to the red card and the goal.

Winger Muyiwa Olabiran was largely ineffective in the game. He looked like a pedestrian and made wrong runs at the flank.

Wolverhampton Wanderers forward Bright Enobakhare struggled to cope with the physicality of the game.

Here are the ratings of the Olympic Eagles at the Al Salam Stadium in Cairo;

ABUBAKAR ADAMU (GOALKEEPER) 7

Well-positioned to stop two dangerous forays from the Ivorians. The Wikki Tourists man was solid in post. His timing and positioning was just excellent on the night. He wasn't at fault for the goal. He spread his body to prevent the ball from crossing the line.

SINCERE SETH (RIGHT FULL-BACK) 6

Fantastic display by the Boluspor man. Contained the Ivorian wing-men well enough. Seth made a number crucial interceptions in a game which witnessed a lot of pace and muscle flair from the Ivorians.

BITOK STEPHEN (LEFT FULL-BACK) 7

His interventions and visionary passes were key in the game for Nigeria. Got the better of Gnaka in most of their one-on-ones. He was entertaining and forceful when he surged forward and won a vital free-kick at an advantageous position.

HAROLD NDAH CENTRE-BACK 2/10

Guilty of poor organisation and failing to stump his authority against Christian Kouame and Co. Struggled to hold down Kouame anytime he came one-on-one with him. The Remo Stars man made the game complicated when he was sent off for a second bookable offence.

ANTHONY IZUCHUKWU (CENTRE-BACK) 6

Had a good game though had little problems at time dealing with the enemies. True commander! Ever present in position to deal with dangerous balls.

ALIYU YAU ADAM (DEFENSIVE MIDFIELD) 7.5

Despite the Ivorians' strong physical presence in midfield, the Spartak Jurmala man played as if there was no pressure at all. Cool, calm, composed and collected. He displayed his bravado in marshaling the lines between the defence and the attacking line. He transformed his performance Spartak to Egypt as he excelled in his favourite club role.

KELECHI NWAKALI CENTRAL MIDFIELD 5.5/10

The former Arsenal midfielder was found wanting in the first half. However, he added force and anchor to the Nigeria midfield in the second-half as Aliyu was a needed shield for the back-four.

NDIFREKE EFFIONG ATTACKING MIDFIELD 6.5/10

Ndifreke showed flashes of his brilliance. He was fearless and made a couple of attempts at goal. He got involved in 50-50 midfield tussles.

ORJI OKWONKWO (LEFT WING) 6

Tormentor in chief. If you wanted to shoot at the Ivorians there was just one way to do it - a thunderbolt. The Bologna man accounted for Nigeria's best chance with a sensational header that crashed the crossbar.

BRIGHT ENOBAKHARE (FORWARD) 2.5

The Wolverhampton Wanderers striker struggled to get the supplies upfront and was lost in the park. He might have played his last game for Nigeria judging by the performance displayed in Cairo.

MUYIWA OLABIRAN (FORWARD) 2.5/10

Not the desirable of performance from the FC Tambov man. Was completely marked out of the game by the Ivorian defenders. Olabiran did little to impose himself on the game. He was virtually non-existent in attacking roles.

SUBSTITUTES

SUNDAY FALEYE (LEFT WING) 5/10

The Wacker FC utility player gave freshness to the for forward line. He was positive in his approach.

IBRAHIM SUNUSI (RIGHT WING) 6/10

Terrorizing and tenacious. Worked tireless when he climbed off the bench. Had the boldness to take any defender in the Ivorian third. Picked the pockets of the Ivorian defence at will and ensured they struggled to cope with his constant raids and humiliating skills.

VALENTINE OZORNWAFOR (CENTRE-BACK) 5/10

Following the red card to Ndah, the former Flying Eagles man was entrusted with the task of shoring up the back line. He almost levelled up for Nigeria. The defender gave a good account of himself.