Completesports.com‘s ADEBOYE AMOSU, who is currently in Garoua, Cameroon covering the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations, highlights seven things learned from the Super Eagles’ win against Guinea-Bissau on Wednesday night, January 19, 2022.
The 2-0 win win completed the Super Eagles’ 100 per cent record in the group stage of AFCON 2021, and winning the Group D and earing a Round of 16 berth.
Good Depth of Quality In Super Eagles
Interim manager Austine Eguavoen made eight changes in his line-up for the game against the Wild Dogs of Guinea-Bissau and the Super Eagles still dominated from start to finish. Despite missing top stars like Victor Osimhen, Odion Ighalo, Emmanuel Dennis, Oghenekaro Etebo and Shehu Abdullahi, Eguavoen has been able to assemble a crack squad for this tournament.
The fringe players showed they can be relied on and they will no doubt play a big role on the Super Eagles further progress in the tournament.
Sadiq Still Not Convincing
Much was expected from Umar Sadiq going into the AFCON 2021 following his superlative displays for Spanish Segunda Division outfit, Almeria, but the 24-year-old is yet to justify his inclusion in the team after three games.
Also Read – Eguavoen: Rohr Deserves Credit For Super Eagles’ Brilliant AFCON Performance
Against Guinea-Bissau on Wednesday, the former AS Roma striker fluffed a good opportunity in the first half after Kelechi Nwakali’s pass put him through on goal. And though he scored the curtain raiser in the game, his performance was not up to scratch.
Uzoho Proves He Is Reliable
Omonia Nicosia goalkeeper, Francis Uzoho may have lost his place to Maduka Okoye, but he proved his class with a good showing against the Baciro Cande’s men. Francis Uzoho produced three top saves in the game to help the Super Eagles kept a clean sheet in that Group D matchday-3 clash.
Uzoho is no doubt a capable number two and he will no doubt keep fighting to reclaim the number one spot.
Simon Grows Stronger As Eagles’ Star Man
Moses Simon is no doubt the star man for Nigeria in the ongoing AFCON 2021. His introduction in the second half lit up the game and he was unlucky not to get his second goal of the tournament.
He will play a big role in anything f from great the Super Eagles may achieve at the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations in Cameroon.
Nwakali Shows Glimpses Of His Great Talent
Former youth international, Kelechi Nwakali, started his first game in Cameroon against Guinea-Bissau and put up an above average performance. The midfielder delivered a superb pass to Umar Sadiq in the first half which the latter fluffed.
Although Nwakali fizzled out a bit after the break, he showed he can excel at the international stage.
Troost-Ekong Silences His Critics
William Troost-Ekong deleted his social media accounts last December after suffering abuse from fans following a number of poor performances for Premier League club, Watford. Doubts were also raised over his form going to the 2021 AFCON finals, but the big defender has kept he naysayers quiet with his superlative displays for the Super Eagles in Cameroon.
The centre-back further underlined his return to form by scoring Nigeria’s second goal and claiming the man of the match award.
Super Eagles’ Defence Still Rock-Solid
Despite the change in personnel, the Super Eagles defence still look solid against Guinea-Bissau on Wednesday night. The team conceded just one goal in three games and the defence has looked impregnable in Cameroon.
The post AFCON 2021: 7 Takeaways From Super Eagles’ Win Against Guinea-Bissau appeared first on Complete Sports.
COMMENTS