FIVE Super Eagles Who Impressed Fans In The Matches Against Swaziland

The Super Eagles defeated Swaziland 2 – 0 in Port-Harcourt in the second leg of the 2018 FIFA world cup qualifier after playing a goalless draw in the first leg played in Lombamba. 

While the first leg did not excite fans, the second leg surely did.

There some few disappointments like Rabiu Ibrahim who was brought in at half-time for Sylvester Igbonu in the first leg only to be brought off after 20 mins on the pitch.

Rabiu Ibrahim of Nigeria evade tackle from Ndlove Njabulo of Swaziland
© Kabiru Abubakar/Backpagepix (PHOTO: Africanfootball.com)

It was discovered the star was hiding an ankle injury which limited his influence in that game. John Mikel Obi had an average game in the first leg and was expected to start the second leg but was dropped in favour of Paul Onobi of Sunshine Stars of Akure who brought more steel to the Eagles midfield.

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Captain Ahmed Musa was below par though he showed flashes of his real quality through his speed and dazzling runs.

Naij.com names the five players who impressed Super Eagles fans the most in the two-legged 2018 FIFA world cup qualifier against Swaziland.

 Moses Simon Daddy: By far Nigeria’s most interesting player in the two legs. He scored a maveroul freekick in the second leg and the 20 year old look like a world beater. The Gent attacker has taken a while to break into the sqaud but he has shown over two legs against he has what it takes to step up to the plate for Nigeria. Watch out Victor Moses.

 

Simon (11) celebrates his goal with Ogenyi Onazi

Sylvester Igboun: Though not a household name in Nigerian football, Igboun showed in the second leg against Swaziland that he can be be a good link between midfield and attack.

In the first leg, he tried to play in the Mesut Ozil type no.10 role but later reverted to the classic link between midfield and attack for Nigeria. His performance reminiscent of Angel Di Maria’s last season at Real Madrid where coach Carlo Anceloti moved him from the wings to midfield.

Igboun contests for the ball in the second leg against Swaziland

African Guardiola, Sunday Oliseh repeated the trick and got good results. The midfielder needs to work on his finishing though.

Carl Ikeme: Though he did not have much to do in the two games, Ikeme made two crucial saves in each match against Swaziland. He has already warmed the hearts of Nigerians with his reflexes and ability to come out of his box to clear dangers. In the second leg against Swaziland Ikeme showed good height and reflex to tip a lob over the bar.

Before the game, the keeper said he was surprised how Nigerian fans were passionate about football, he would have gotten the right answer after the full time whistle when fans stormed the pitch to celebrate with the players.

Carl Ikeme

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Paul Onobi: The name of everyone’slips after that second leg. The Sunshine Stars of Akure man has always had the quality but never the recognition it deserved. While teammates like Prince Aggreh and Ezennawa impressed Oliseh with their all action displays in the league, Onobi patiently went about his game. He chipped in with a few goals too.

Onobi was hailed by fans and pundits alike for the way he recycyle the ball in midfield. Ogenyi Onazi is not an anchor man (the first leg proved it to be right again), he plays better as a box to box midfielder (in the mould of Ramires of Chelsea).

Paul Onobi

Paul Onobi proved to be a good anchor man. Former coach Sunday Oliseh realized this which led to call ups for the likes of Fegor Ogude, Raheem Lawal but Oliseh seems to have found his man in Onobi.

Even the Swaziland coach Harries Bulungu had to praise the decision to bring in Onobi for Mikel Obi, saying the change probably gave Nigeria the platform to win.

Efe Ambrose: Finally playing in his preferred position at center-back for the Super Eagles, Ambrose has reproduced his best form for the country. Ambrose was used at right-back by Stephen Keshi but Oliseh has made the shift to center back for the Celtic defender.

 

By far the best defender in the two legs against Swaziland, Ambrose showed good positioning but would probably need to work on his anticipation. Who to be chosen to partner him in center defense in the long tern is a question open to debate.

Honorable mentions: Odion Ighalo, Austin Oboraokpo, Chima Akas, Obafemi Martins, Shehu Abdullahi Ogenyi Onazi.

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