Olympic Eagles coach, Imama Amapakabo will have to step up his efforts of blending the team into a more formidable force, as his players ended up with below average marks during their loss to Libya on Wednesday.
This follows scathing remarks and ratings offered by pundits, following Nigeria’s 2-0 loss to Libya in the first leg of their 2019 Africa U-23 Cup of Nations qualifier in Bergendan, Tunisia.
Sports247.ng can report that, heading into the reverse fixture in Asaba on Monday, Amapakabo will be shocked to learn that eight of his players scored below pass marks, while five got average and only one excellent.
In what could be interpreted as a shoddy and uncoordinated performance by his hastily assembled ‘galactico’ of stars on Wednesday, Amapakabo will return home to work on both individual and team efforts that will help his side turn their deficit into an advantage.
Failure to do that would see Nigeria miss out on a chance of attending the Olympics, in which they are the only country worldwide to win gold, silver and bronze (1996, 2008 and 2016 respectively), but missed the 2012 edition in London after falling short at the first U-23 AFCON.
The full individual scorecards for the Nigerian players in Wednesday’s game went thus: Abubakar Adamu: Looked unconvincing in goal even before he was sent off for ball handling outside his area. 4/10
Stephen Egbe: He looked jittery and unsettled in an out of sort back line that was caught flat footed on the break several times. 4/10
John Lazarus: Failed to track runs by Libya’s players in behind the Eagles’ defence, which led to Zakaria Alharaish’s opener, with the Lobi Stars of Makurdi stopper left in wonderland on several occasions. 4/10
Joshua Akpudje: Also culpable in errors and lapses that marked the hallmark of a paltry Nigerian defence, as he failed to stall Libya’s flowing attack and the MFM FC of Lagos youngster belied his potentials. 4/10
Ebube Duru: The Lobi Stars full back was also a shadow of his normal self, as he was caught off guard severally by the fleet-footed Libyans and was particularly poor in the first half. 4/10
Azubuike Okechukwu: Captain of the side and most experienced player in the side was average, but failed to mark his presence in midfield. 5.5
Kelechi Nwakali: A rather disappointing outing from such a highly rated player who has already seen action with the Super Eagles B-team. 4/10
Dennis Bonaventure: He was sacrificed in a forced substitution caused by the red card to Adamu, but gave some spirit fight before going off and his early exit could be deducted for Libya’s free-reign in midfield. 5.5/10
Samuel Chukwueze: Nigeria’s brightest spark of creativity for the team. Made some runs and put in a few crosses which were not utilized. 7.5
Olabiran Muyiwa: The Russia-based Ivory Coast-born attacker looked lost on the flanks and soon resorted to playing deep from the middle, as if to suggest he might have been deployed out of position. 5/10
Taiwo Awoniyi: He belied the top form that has seen him score seven goals in eight matches for his club; left much to be desired as Nigeria’s top striker on the evening, even missed a chance to equalise. 4/10
Orewale Oremade: He conceded Nigeria’s second goal, after going on in place of dismissed Adamu, but comported himself well afterward. 5/10
Chidera Eze: He hardly had enough time to show his mettle after going on late in place of Olabiran. 3/10
