Afrigather Objectives from Cyriel Dessers and Ademola Lookman gave Nigeria an exhilarating 2-1 win over ten-man Ghana in Morocco on Friday.
Listed here are the most important takeaways from the encounter.
Nigeria higher than Ghana
Man to man, pound for pound, Nigeria have arguably probably the most proficient squad on the continent, and in opposition to the Ghanaians, it was made much more apparent.
The Tremendous Eagles stood toe to toe with the Black Stars from defence to assault and created likelihood after likelihood within the sport.
In aim, Stanley Nwabali was as much as the duty when hassle surfaced.
Because of the defenders in entrance of him for maintaining Ghana quiet for giant parts, although, because the trio of Chidozie Awaziem, Benjamin Tanimu, and Semi Ajayi had been nearly with out fault.
Wilfred Ndidi confirmed why the Tremendous Eagles missed him in Cote d’Ivoire, whereas Frank Onyeka delivered one other positive efficiency.
Kelechi Iheanacho and Cyriel Dessers labored effectively collectively, and the Leicester Metropolis man must be applauded for profitable the penalty.
The scoreline suggests an in depth encounter between the 2 former African champions, however Nigeria might have been three-nil up by halftime if that they had been extra medical in entrance of aim.
Ghana are an honest aspect, however they appeared mediocre in opposition to a Tremendous Eagles staff that didn’t even get out of first gear.
Finidi ball over Peseiro ball
George Finidi made his Tremendous Eagles teaching bow in opposition to Ghana, and the Enyimba coach would have made his former boss, Jose Peseiro, proud.
In his beginning lineup, Finidi made slight modifications to Peseiro’s 3-4-3 formation.
The previous Ajax winger deployed a three-man defence identical to the Portuguese tactician however began two centre forwards in what resembled a hybrid 3-5-2.
Apparently, Alex Iwobi was allowed a free position in midfield, with Wilfred Ndidi and Frank Onyeka doing the mopping-up job on the centre of the park.
Whereas Peseiro’s staff sat again and invited stress within the last of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations in opposition to Cote d’Ivoire, Finidi inspired the Tremendous Eagles to press Ghana up the sector.
The set-up resulted in a Tremendous Eagles staff that appeared purposeful in assault, organised in midfield, and stable in defence.
Bye-bye, Peseiro ball. Welcome, Finidi ball.
Cyriel Dessers just isn’t taking his possibilities
Cyriel Dessers scored the primary aim for Nigeria from the penalty spot for his second Tremendous Eagles.
Nevertheless, the Glasgow Rangers ahead had sufficient possibilities to internet a hat-trick in opposition to the Black Stars.
Dessers had the possibility to begin for Nigeria, with Napoli ahead Victor Osimhen not accessible for the encounter.
The absence of Nottingham Forest’s Taiwo Awoniyi and Bayer Leverkusen’s Victor Boniface additionally paved the possibility for Dessers to return to the nationwide fold after lacking the 2023 AFCON.
To get common call-ups, he should present effectivity and ruthlessness in entrance of aim at any time when he places on the inexperienced and white kits.
There was little of these qualities on show in opposition to the Black Stars. He’ll probably get one other likelihood in opposition to Mali on Tuesday, and hopefully, he’ll ship a efficiency that places him within the ideas of the nationwide staff handlers.
Nwabali is who he thinks he’s
The goalkeeper conceded a late penalty in opposition to Ghana, however he was actually one among Nigeria’s finest gamers on the pitch.
He simply plucked crosses, saved photographs that will have troubled Francis Uzoho, and continually communicated along with his defenders.
He seized the Tremendous Eagles’ number-one goalkeeping gloves on the AFCON, and he appears set to retain it for a very long time to return if he continues on this trajectory.
Iwobi is great in a free position
Alex Iwobi appears more likely to be the most important beneficiary of the Finidi-ball.
The Fulham midfielder was handed a free position in midfield, and he thrived and excelled.
He was simply Nigeria’s finest participant in opposition to Ghana, dictating the Tremendous Eagles’ enjoying tempo and choosing defence-splitting passes.
Iwobi assisted Lookman’s profitable aim and had a hand in creating the penalty Iheanacho received.
A wonderful outing from the previous Arsenal midfielder following his criticized shows on the AFCON.
N.B: What stood out for you within the sport between Nigeria and Ghana? Depart your feedback under.
