Nigeria Failed Again 4th Times. Egypt Vs Nigeria: Player Rating - Sports

• Ladies ad gentlemen, it's official, there is fire on the mountain: Super Eagles failed to qualify for Nations Cup three times in 4 consecutive editions.

This is the same Nations Cup in which qualification was never our issue, the same Nations Cup that semi final (minimum) was our birthright.

Here we go again. Eagles faltered on big occasion.

Anyway, I still struggled to rate the players.

1. AKPEYI: Did well, especially in aerial balls, stopping a couple of goal-bound shots, but he could have done better in that goal, although he expected the defenders to be able to intercept that ball. But for that goal, had a good game. 5.5/10


2. ABDULLAHI: Not sure he is a Super Eagles material - at least yet. Didn't add much to the game. Faltered a couple of times. No sensible crosses or play with winger as expected of a full back. Alongside Ambrose, failed to intercept the ball that got into the net eventually. 3/10

3. AMUZIE: Again, struggled with Salah's speed. Also doesn't look like Super Eagles' material yet. 3/10

4. AMBROSE: Once again, failed to live to expectation as one that plays for a decent European club. Weak, defensively; poor link with midfield. 3/10

5. OBOABONA: Not seen much. Appeared to have lost confidence. Struggled with Egyptian forward. Poor clearing. 3/10


6. ETEBO: Wondered why he was rated that highly and won Africa's Most Promising Player for 2015 as he hasn't shown anything to show he is not ordinary in his matches I have watched. He tries in marking, but far from being creative. 3/10

7. MIKEL: Too slow. No sense of urgency. More was expected of him. Other than his trademark short passes, didn't add much to the team. No through pass to the attack. 4/10

8. MUSA: Yet again, flopped. He used to have the speed as his strength and unproductive use of final ball as his weakness. Now, even his strength seems to have deserted him as his game was casual and too ordinary. 3/10

9, MOSES: Played in central midfield and looked like Nigeria's deadliest player that was to wreak havoc. A couple of good moves, but his final balls were useless. Had a good shot on goal that was Eagles' best chance. 5/10

10. UMAR: Wondered why Siasia started him ahead of Simon Moses or Ihenacho. Meant to support Ighalo but was clueless. Didnt have a good game. Need to work on his ball sense and positioning. 3/10

11. IGHALO: His game was predictable. He was caged by the Egyptian defence. There appeared to be a disconnect between the midfield and attack. Even when they're attacking, there was poor positioning. Siasia kept Ighalo too long when it was obvious he wasn't clicking. 3/10
4 Likes 1 Share
Re: Egypt Vs Nigeria: Player Rating by Jarus(m): 8:48pm On Mar 29
12. IWOBI: Tried to bring bite to our attack when he came in. Tried through passes, but the recipients couldn't convert. He should be a little more daring himself. 5/10

13. ECHIEJILE: Came in early, but largely quiet. Looked rusty. Came in at a time we were attacking, and little defending to do. The Egyptians also stopped using the flanks and were using the central midfield to penetrate and banking on counter attack, so he wasn't call to test that much. 4/10

SIASIA: Not sure he has much blame, but we expected victory. I'm beginning to agree he's our best local coach. The players are letting us down, but it hardly has much to do with the coach. One thing: Siasia's team's trademark attack was seen in this game. I think he should be retained and given more time. 5/10

By Jarus


Send Us your News article to our email: teamtayonews@gmail.com- Like TEAMTAYO'S NEWS BLOG on facebook@ www.fb.com/teamtayonewsblog and follow on twitter@teamtayonews for pinpointed updates.