Player Ratings: Super Eagles Soar Past Cameroon

Super Eagles dominate Cameroon in AFCON, Lookman and Osimhen shine, player ratings and analysis.

Ademola Lookman celebrates after completing his brace against Cameroon on Saturday. Nigeria won 2-0. (Photo credit: GOAL)

In what can be described as the Super Eagles’ most assured performance so far in this year’s AFCON, the Nigerian side swept aside Cameroon in a commanding fashion. 

Nigeria limited their French-speaking neighbours to zero shots on target and will now face Angola in the quarterfinals.

How did the Super Eagles line up? We look at player ratings for the game.

GK: Stanley Nwabali, 6/10

You will know the importance of this lad from the reactions of Nigerians when he got injured and had to be replaced. 

He didn’t have any savings to make, but he was assured with his aerial strength and awareness. 

He will have to race to fitness before the quarterfinal game against Angola.

RB: Ola Aina, 8/10

Ola Aina has been one of the standout players of the tournament so far, and he was a menace down the flank against Cameroon. 

The Chelsea academy graduate could have scored in the second half, but his effort was well blocked.

LB: Zaidu Sanusi, 6/10

Arguably the weakest link in the Nigerian defense, the FC Porto man is yet to spark to life, but he had an improved game on Saturday.

RCB: Semi Ajayi, 8/10

The West Brom defender would look back at the game and wonder how his goal didn’t count. 

The lanky defender thought he had given the Super Eagles the lead, but VAR chalked his goal off for offside. 

He was solid in defense, won all his duels, and kept the Lions quiet.

CB: William Troost Ekong, 8.5/10

Once again, it was a great performance from the captain. 

He was assured and could well take credit for ensuring Vincent Aboubakar didn’t have a sniff of the ball when the 2019 highest goal scorer was introduced.

LCB: Calvin Bassey, 8.5/10

Calvin Bassey is earning his stripes game after game. 

He was immense at both ends and claimed the assist for Nigeria’s second goal. 

He is one of the best players in the tournament so far.

LCM: Alex Iwobi, 8/10

Iwobi oscillated between brilliance and frustration, but he delivered it in the middle of the park. 

He could have scored, but he missed when it mattered most. 

His pressing was great; he passed intelligently and would do better by improving his finishing skills.

RCM: Frank Onyeka, 8/10

Gritty and solid, the Brentford man managed Frank Zambo Aguissa quite well. 

Onyeka marshalled the midfield for the Super Eagles and protected the ball quite well.

LWF: Moses Simon, 6/10

His pace came in handy against Cameroon, but he didn’t offer much going forward. 

He was strong in duels and tackled well.

RWF: Ademola Lookman, 9/10

If his first goal came with a bit of luck, the second was a lot better. 

With two goals and a quality display at both ends of the pitch, he ran, blocked, and imposed himself on his wing.

His man of the match award was well deserved.

ST: Victor Osimhen, 9/10

Victor Osimhen gave the entire Cameroonian backline a torrid night. 

From hounding them to lose the ball to setting up Lookman’s opener, Osimhen was terrific all night long. 

He is only going to get better as the tournament progresses.

Substitutes:

Francis Uzoho: The whole nation had hearts in their mouths when Uzoho came on, but the defenCe ensured he didn’t have much to do. 

He was still suspect with his kicks, but he got by without issues.

Kenneth Omeruo came on for Sanusi Zaidu to help the defense with Uzoho in goal, and he did a good job in that regard.

Paul Onuachu was introduced to close the game out, and he didn’t disappoint. He was able to hold up play and force the Cameroonians to concede free kicks in their own area.