FC Porto of Portugal midfielder, Kelechi Nwakali emerged with the second highest personal ratings among players of the Nigerian under-23 national team, Olympic Eagles in Tuesday’s 4-0 trouncing of Libya.
Sports247.ng gathered that, although Victor Osimhen was the obvious and undisputed man of the match in the reverse fixture of their 2019 African U-23 Cup of Nations qualifier, a cross-section of fans and pundits gave Nwakali the next top marks for the Nigerian team.
Nwakali, who is on loan at Porto from Arsenal of England, gained second spot based on his assist and silent work on the middle of the pack, as the Chile 2015 FIFA U-17 World Cup-winning Golden Eaglets’ skipper showed immense maturity, mobility, passing, shooting and ball holding skills.
The ratings were high on all fronts for the team as a whole, compared to the low marks they got from the first leg 2-0 loss in Bergenadan, Tunisia, such that Nwakali’s scorecard for the evening at Stephen Keshi Stadium, Asaba was close to excellent, with several pundits giving him 8/10.
One of the citations for Nwakali read in part: “He was truly busy in the middle and tried to make the best of every opportunity he got.”
Other ratings on the evening for Coach Imama Amapakabo’s side were – Francis Odinaka Uzoho: Had little work to do against a defense conscious Libyan side. 5/10
Etboy Akpan: Hardly had any defending efforts on his feet against the retreating Libyans, but tired out in the second half due to his energetic overlapping efforts and was replaced by John Lazarus. 6/10
Valentine Ozornwafor: Looked excellent in the heart of Nigeria’s defence, and justified his hurried deployment from the Super Eagles a day before the game. With the form he showed, he may not return to the Flying Eagles where he happens to be the assistant captain. 7/10
Chidozie Awaziem: Also looks to have found a permanent place in the Olympic Eagles, following a surprisingly brilliant performance, loaded with great aerial ability and solid marking on the ground. 7/10
Ebube Duru: The only surviving member of the back-four from the first leg 2-0 loss, and the Lobi Stars star showed just why Amapakabo stuck with him, even as he tied down the left-back role. 7/10
Kelechi Nwakali: He excelled in the middle, not shying from any tackle, looking for space to unleash passes and never shy to pop a shot or two from any position, then got an assist on Osimhen’s third goal. 8/10
Azubuike Okechukwu: Played from deep just in front of the back-four, and showed immense maturity that fully qualified him as skipper. 7.5/10
Orji Okonkwo: Although he eventually gave way to Dennis Bonaventure, Okonkwo showed tremendous depth in both midfield and attack, with neat passes here and there, and an eye for goal if possible. 7/10)
Victor Osimhen: Undisputed man of the match, Excellent runs at goal, incredible eye for goal, superb shooting ability, killer instincts to pounce when least expected, and still humble to give an assist. 9/10
Taiwo Awoniyi: Another disappointing out for the Excel Mouscron of Belgium star, but better than the first leg, as he showed more mobility, link up with other players in the attack line, and good decoy runs. 6/10
Samuel Chukwueze: Flashy as ever, both with his fashion sense and pace in attack, got a superb free kick against the woodwork and always eager to take the opponents on. Sad not to see him get a goal. 7/10
David Okereke: Recharged the Eagles’ attack after going on for Awoniyi and small wonder he put the icing on the cake with Nigeria’s fourth goal, better days ahead of the Perugia star who was quickly transferred to the Super Eagles’ camp for today’s friendly against Egypt. 6/10
Dennis Bonaventure: The Club Brugge of Belgium attacker may end up becoming the team’s super-sub, with proficient back-up options and abilities off the bench, as seen when he replaced Okonkwo. 5/10
John Lazarus: Could regain his spot from Etboy, as his entry to the fray seemed to add better calm and comfort to the back-four. 4/10
