The Napoli frontman carried the can as the West African giants squeaked through to the play-off round of the World Cup qualifiers
Maduka Okoye - Nigeria, Super EaglesBackpagepix
Maduka Okoye (5/10)
Had very little to do for 90 minutes but the goalkeeper may feel he could have prevented Stopira’s leveller.
William Troost-Ekong (3/10)
Conceded a needless corner from which Cape Verde levelled and he could have been stronger to prevent Stopira’s goal.
Troost-Ekong hardly looked assured at the back and the Watford defender’s erratic passing added to the anxiety of Nigerians.
Leon Balogun (5/10)
Balogun was not as positive and assertive in possession in Lagos.
The Rangers man gave away a lazy free-kick late on which almost resulted in the Blue Sharks winning the game.
Chidozie Awaziem (5.5/10)
While the right-sided centre-back did not have the same influence from the last two games against the Central African Republic and Liberia, he was arguably Nigeria’s best defender.
Moses Simon (4/10)
Simon’s disappointing deliveries from open play and set pieces encapsulated a frustrating evening for the Nantes attacker who was worryingly stretchered off after the hour mark.
Jamilu Collins (4.5/10)
The Paderborn wide defender is still not pulling up trees at left wing-back.
A few forward forays after half-time does not invalidate calls for Ola Aina to start in that role.
Wilfred Ndidi (7/10)
The Leicester City midfielder made a late block to deny a potential winner for Cape Verde.
Had a typical game in the middle of the park.
Joe Aribo (6/10)
Had a good effort saved by Vozinha on the half-hour mark after being played in by Ighalo and was denied a headed effort five minutes before half-time by the impressive goalie.
Faded after the interlude.
Alex Iwobi (6.5/10)
Had a better showing on Tuesday evening and was unfortunate not to register a first-half assist for Odion Ighalo.
Iwobi’s tenacity off the ball was striking.
Odion Ighalo (5/10)
The returning frontman missed a 27th-minute chance to send Nigeria 2-1 up and failed to tuck away a header in the 33rd minute from a Victor Osimhen cross.
Faded badly after the break and was surprisingly kept on until the final quarter.
Victor Osimhen (7.5/10)
At times, it felt like the Napoli frontman was doing it all by himself.
Osimhen ran the channels, fashioned opportunities for teammates and pressed ferociously in the opening 45 minutes.
He, unsurprisingly, could not sustain that level and Nigeria’s overall threat in the attacking third dropped as their top marksman tired.
Abdullahi Shehu (5/10)
Barely got a kick after replacing Simon with 22 minutes on the clock.
Kelechi Iheanacho (N/A)
Came on for Ighalo in the final 12 minutes.
Frank Onyeka (N/A)
Replaced Joe Aribo in the 78th minute.
Paul Onuachu (N/A)
Was brought on for a drained Osimhen with one minute of normal time remaining.
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