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NEW
AFCON 2025
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The Super Eagles triumphed in their AFCON 2025 opener against Tanzania, despite an underwhelming performance from their most reliable star.
Nigeria began their AFCON 2025 campaign with a victory against Tanzania. While the result was positive, the performance left a lot to be desired.
While some players like Alex Iwobi rose to the occasion, others like Victor Osimhen left fans questioning Nigeria's contender status. The full player ratings for Nigeria's victory against Tanzania below:
Pay Attention: Stay informed on the biggest tournament in African football! Match reports and fixtures inside. Follow the AFCON 2025 coverage!
Stanley Nwabali (4/10):
Stanley Nwabali did not have much to do in the tie. Still, he looked shaky in the few interventions he had.
He also showed poor awareness and concentration in the goal Nigeria conceded, as he opted to raise in hand, signalling offside, instead of positioning better to save Charles M'Mombwa's attempt.
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Bright Osayi-Samuel (5/10):
Osayi-Samuel had a decent game defensively, but offered little going forward. He picked up good positions in attack, but was ponderous when it came time to deliver the ball into the box.
Semi Ajayi (6.5/10):
Semi Ajayi scored Nigeria's opener, a thumping header from Alex Iwobi's cross in the 36th minute. He was also decent defensively; however, he had some unassured actions at the back.
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Calvin Bassey (5/10):
Bassey had one of his rare unconvincing game at the back for the Super Eagles. While his ball playing was integral to how Nigeria played, his defending on the day begets questioning.
He was shaky and unassured in situations. He also showed poor timing on critical defensive situations including the goal Nigeria let in.
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Zaidu Sanusi (4/10):
Zaidu Sanusi was shambolic on either end on the pitch. The goal Nigeria conceded came from his side of the pitch, as M'Mombwa ghosted behind him to scored. And offensively, he wasted advantageous situations with poor crosses
Wilfred Ndidi (6/10):
His first official game as Super Eagles captain resulted in a victory and that's definitely a positive. Ndidi was a strong presence in the middle of the park. He made three interceptions and nine ball recoveries.
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Alex Iwobi (8/10):
Alex Iwobi was Nigeria's best player on the pitch, bar none. He created the opener through a beautifully weighted delivery for Semi Ajayi and could have gotten another assist when he played Osimhen through in goal.
Iwobi was involved in everything positive the Super Eagles generated on the night. He showed the level of play he has exhibited all season for Fulham, and is Pulse Sports' Man of the Match.
Samuel Chukwueze (6/10):
Samuel Chukwueze was busy as a bee in his 57 minutes on the pitch. He was the Super Eagles' best attacking player in the first-half and was the main creative spark.
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Tanzania struggled to deal with his ball carrying through the central areas of the pitch. He was also incive with his passing creating great chances for Akor Adams and Victor Osimhen. However, he also missed a chance he should have scored.
Ademola Lookman (7/10):
As seen with Mohamed Salah's winner against Zimbabwe, star players turn up in the big moments irrespective of form.
Ademola Lookman got the winner for the Super Eagles in heroic fashion, picking the ball up in the central area, dancing around his marker, before rifling home with his weak foot.
His goal ensured that Nigeria started their campaign with victory. However, his performance was beyond the goal. He was lively throughout the game, releasing a number of throughballs to the strikers.
Akor Adams (5/10):
Akor Adams was lively in the first-half, but he should have put Nigeria ahead when Samuel Chukwueze played him through on goal early in the game. He ghosted out of the game before he was eventually replaced before the hour mark.
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Victor Osimhen (4/10):
The official Opta count says Osimhen missed only one big chance, but it felt like a lot more watching from home.
He seemed too eager with his shooting, and was not the typical pressing monster we have come to love, possibly due to coaching instruction to help conserve his energy.
The supporting cast played him through on goal on multiple occasions and when he was not failing to round the keeper, he was firing a tame shot, or skying his attempts.