Sierra Leone v Nigeria: Super Eagles player ratings

The Super Eagles couldn’t win the away leg of their 2022 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers fixture in the Sierra Leone v Nigeria game in Freetown on Tuesday. The first leg had also ended in a 4-4 draw last weekend.

Despite a draw from both games, the Super Eagles still top the group, after Benin also played out a goalless draw with Lesotho.

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Sierra Leone v Nigeria: Super Eagles defence

Maduka Okoye (7/10)

The young goalkeeper ensured he wasn’t beaten this time around. He kept a clean sheet to silence his critics. He made two big saves in the first half and claimed loose balls and crosses, leaving nothing to chance.

Kevin Akpoguma (5/10)

Despite his below-par performance in the home fixture, Akpoguma didn’t disappoint. This time around, he was again given a go at right back. His performance wasn’t exceptional, but it wasn’t poor either. He however probably has more to give in a centre-back role.

Leon Balogun (6/10)

Balogun played well at the heart of the defence. The Rangers defender along with Troost-Ekong warded off attacking threats from the Leone Stars.

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William Troost-Ekong(6/10)

His partnership with Balogun at the heart of the defense was impressive. He seemed to have developed an understanding with him, which was crucial in keeping the clean sheet.

Ola Aina (6/10)

Aina gave a good account of himself defensively at the left-back position. However, he didn’t offer the attacking impetus of Zaidu Sanusi.

Super Eagles Midfield

Oghenekaro Etebo (5/10)

Etebo looked solid for the first half-hour of the game. However, he wasn’t able to have much impact as he was replaced as early as the 36th minute. It seemed to be a precautionary substitution.

Joe Aribo (5/10)

Aribo had another go at midfield. He is still yet to justify his selection as he was largely peripheral for most of the game. He was withdrawn in the 83rd minute.

Alex Iwobi (6/10)

The Everton forward was one of the best performers this time. However, he was unlucky in the second half as his effort flashed just wide.

His efforts didn’t have much impact in the last game he scored a brace.

Super Eagles Attack

Samuel Chukwueze (5/10)

The Villareal winger set up Kelechi Iheanacho for the Super Eagles’ best chance of the game, which the Leicester forward bottled. He drifted in and out for most of the game.

Ahmed Musa (5/10)

Musa played the entire duration of the game this time around. He left fans to wonder as his performance was not different from the last game.

Kelechi Iheanacho (5/10)

Iheanacho didn’t have much impact in the game. He blew the Super Eagles’ best chance of scoring.

Substitutes

Shehu Abdullahi (5/10)

Replaced Etebo before halftime but wasn’t much of an upgrade on the Galatasaray midfielder.

Chidozie Awaziem (4/10)

Replaced Kevin Akpoguma in the 74th minute. He was beaten in a move that could have led to a late winner for the Leone Stars.

Emmanuel Dennis and Semi Ajayi came on with only a few minutes left on the clock.