Eagles ratings at AFCON
Hit and Miss - Victor Moses shone, while Ahmed Musa flopped
Keshi back | Mba the hero
MTNFootball.com rates all 23 players who made the final squad
for the championship-winning Super Eagles.
8 Vincent Enyeama
Eagles shot stopper did well between sticks for Nigeria and made several game-defining saves leading up to the trophy particlarly against Ethiopia, Zambia and Cote d’Ivoire. He again showed why he has remained the Eagles No.1 since 2002. He was also named in the tournament XI by the CAF technical study group.
4 Joseph Yobo
A twisted ankle in the opening group game against Burkina Faso saw him relegated to the bench in favour of enterprising youngster Omeruo, who went on to take his chance all the way to the final game against Burkina Faso. However, it was a happy ending for Yobo as he signed off on his sixth and final AFCON appearance with his first international trophy.
8 Godfrey Oboabona
The Sunshine stars captain was one of the revelations of the 2013 AFCON. He played like a veteran in the heart of defence with a lot of confidence. He was up against Africa’s finest strikers like Drogba, Gervinho and Seydou Keita and he did disappoint.
- Azubuike Egwuekwe
He was Stephen Keshi number one choice partner for Yobo in the heart of defence until he suffered chicken pox in training camp, which effectively took him out of the tournament. And when he was well and fit again, he could not force his way into a winning team and so did nit get to kick a ball in South Africa.
3 Juwon Oshaniwa
FC Ashdod of Israel defender was relegated to the bench due to the exploits of Echiejile in left back, but was part of the final match for almost 30 minutes when he replaced the injured Sporting Braga star. He made some rash tackles for the short time he was called to action and was not convincing.
8 Kenneth Omeruo
He was another revelation at the tournament as he formed a great partnership with Oboabona and proved a worthy replacement for captain Yobo. He played with composure and so much maturity. He is very much a part of the first team now going forward.
7 Elderson Echiejile
He was good at the left back that the more experienced Taye Taiwo was not missed, Elderson defended well and often joined the attack, which resulted in him getting his first-ever a goal for Nigeria against Mali in the semi-final.
7 Ogenyi Onazi
He was a Trojan in the midfield. His versatility was a big plus for the Super Eagles as he played as right back as well an attacking midfielder. He relegated the more experienced Ogude to the bench. He was good defending, going forward and very mobile. He held his own in midfield battles against stars like Yaya Toure, Tiote and Seydou Keita to underline his quality.
- Chigozie Agbim
Third-choice goalkeeper who did not get to play a game as Vincent Enyeama held his own between the sticks.
4 Ikechukwu Uche
He posted a very disappointing outing at the AFCON after he finished as the country’s top scorer in the qualifying tournament with three goals. He was wasteful in front as his confidence dipped. He had a chance to put all that behind in the final in absence of the injured Emenike but failed to do so and he was promptly replaced.
7 Brown Ideye
He used his abundant energy and raw power to trouble opposing defenders. He complimented Emenike in the attack and scored a goal thanks to good combination play with Spartak Moscow star. He created chances but was not very clinical especially in the final when he could have scored at least two goals.
8 Mikel Obi
Named in the Tournament XI by CAF. His performance at this tournament has proved his critics wrong. Mikel was simply fantastic and the pivot of the team. He controlled the midfield with his trademark marking and long balls. The Chelsea star soared above the likes of Yaya Toure, Didier Zokora, Chieck Tiote, Charles Kabore and Seydou Keita in the various midfield battles. He won the man of the match award twice and fair play award twice.
8 Efe Ambrose
Was one of the best players in the tournament as he made the right back his own after a sloppy start. He defended well, joined the attack and had a great recovery. He was always full of running and so little wonder he made the official Team of the Tournament.
- Austin Ejide
Was not in action due to Enyeama's heroics in goal. His injury during a warm-up game against Cape Verde also slowed him down from challenging Enyeama for the No.1 position.
5 Ahmed Musa
He started poorly but regained some confidence after a well-taken goal against Mali. He was a thorn in the flesh of opposing defenders against Mali and Burkina Faso in the final. But overall, he was far from his best.
9 Emmanuel Emenike
‘The new Bull’ was a delight to watch as he powered his way through defences. He shouldered the Eagles goal-scoring responsibilities. He is strong and fast and that ensured he finished as the tournament top scorer with four goals and three assists He was sorely missed in the final against Burkina Faso. He was picked on the official Team of the Tournament by CAF.
4 Nosa Igiebor
He came to the AFCON riding on a lot of expectations, but he failed to replicate his performance in the qualifiers and during the build-up where it mattered most.
- Reuben Gabriel
Kano pillars combative midfielder was Keshi's number one choice in holding midfield role, but for a long-term groin injury and chicken pox. He therefore lost his place in the team and so was one of several players who did not clock a minute of action in South Africa.
8 Sunday Mba
Yet another revelation for the Eagles. He replaced the struggling Nosa Igiebor and made the most of his opportunity so much so Igiebor warmed the bench by the third match against Ethiopia. His cracking match winners against Cote d'Ivoire and Burkina Faso will most likely have enhanced his market value and now a move to Europe is very much on the cards.
5 Fegor Ogude
He was the preferred holding midfielder in Eagles and started slowly but he improved as the competition progressed. Unfortunately, he lost his place to youngster Ogenyi Onazi after he was suspended for the quarterfinal clash against Cote d’Ivoire.
9 Victor Moses
He ought to have been picked as the Most Valuable Player of the entire tournament as he was a great influence for the eventual champions as well as their best player. He initiated most of the Eagles attack with his free role in the team. His dribbling skills, pace and vision for goal were threats to opposing teams. He scored twice from the penalty spot and was picked in the tournament XI.
3 Ejike Uzoenyi
The smallish left winger was a surprise pick for the AFCON. He played just a game, but he was not in his element and could not show what he is capable of.
2 Obiora Nwankwo
He featured late in the second half against Zambia, but was shadow of himself in the game.
Eagles shot stopper did well between sticks for Nigeria and made several game-defining saves leading up to the trophy particlarly against Ethiopia, Zambia and Cote d’Ivoire. He again showed why he has remained the Eagles No.1 since 2002. He was also named in the tournament XI by the CAF technical study group.
4 Joseph Yobo
A twisted ankle in the opening group game against Burkina Faso saw him relegated to the bench in favour of enterprising youngster Omeruo, who went on to take his chance all the way to the final game against Burkina Faso. However, it was a happy ending for Yobo as he signed off on his sixth and final AFCON appearance with his first international trophy.
8 Godfrey Oboabona
The Sunshine stars captain was one of the revelations of the 2013 AFCON. He played like a veteran in the heart of defence with a lot of confidence. He was up against Africa’s finest strikers like Drogba, Gervinho and Seydou Keita and he did disappoint.
- Azubuike Egwuekwe
He was Stephen Keshi number one choice partner for Yobo in the heart of defence until he suffered chicken pox in training camp, which effectively took him out of the tournament. And when he was well and fit again, he could not force his way into a winning team and so did nit get to kick a ball in South Africa.
3 Juwon Oshaniwa
FC Ashdod of Israel defender was relegated to the bench due to the exploits of Echiejile in left back, but was part of the final match for almost 30 minutes when he replaced the injured Sporting Braga star. He made some rash tackles for the short time he was called to action and was not convincing.
8 Kenneth Omeruo
He was another revelation at the tournament as he formed a great partnership with Oboabona and proved a worthy replacement for captain Yobo. He played with composure and so much maturity. He is very much a part of the first team now going forward.
7 Elderson Echiejile
He was good at the left back that the more experienced Taye Taiwo was not missed, Elderson defended well and often joined the attack, which resulted in him getting his first-ever a goal for Nigeria against Mali in the semi-final.
7 Ogenyi Onazi
He was a Trojan in the midfield. His versatility was a big plus for the Super Eagles as he played as right back as well an attacking midfielder. He relegated the more experienced Ogude to the bench. He was good defending, going forward and very mobile. He held his own in midfield battles against stars like Yaya Toure, Tiote and Seydou Keita to underline his quality.
- Chigozie Agbim
Third-choice goalkeeper who did not get to play a game as Vincent Enyeama held his own between the sticks.
4 Ikechukwu Uche
He posted a very disappointing outing at the AFCON after he finished as the country’s top scorer in the qualifying tournament with three goals. He was wasteful in front as his confidence dipped. He had a chance to put all that behind in the final in absence of the injured Emenike but failed to do so and he was promptly replaced.
7 Brown Ideye
He used his abundant energy and raw power to trouble opposing defenders. He complimented Emenike in the attack and scored a goal thanks to good combination play with Spartak Moscow star. He created chances but was not very clinical especially in the final when he could have scored at least two goals.
8 Mikel Obi
Named in the Tournament XI by CAF. His performance at this tournament has proved his critics wrong. Mikel was simply fantastic and the pivot of the team. He controlled the midfield with his trademark marking and long balls. The Chelsea star soared above the likes of Yaya Toure, Didier Zokora, Chieck Tiote, Charles Kabore and Seydou Keita in the various midfield battles. He won the man of the match award twice and fair play award twice.
8 Efe Ambrose
Was one of the best players in the tournament as he made the right back his own after a sloppy start. He defended well, joined the attack and had a great recovery. He was always full of running and so little wonder he made the official Team of the Tournament.
- Austin Ejide
Was not in action due to Enyeama's heroics in goal. His injury during a warm-up game against Cape Verde also slowed him down from challenging Enyeama for the No.1 position.
5 Ahmed Musa
He started poorly but regained some confidence after a well-taken goal against Mali. He was a thorn in the flesh of opposing defenders against Mali and Burkina Faso in the final. But overall, he was far from his best.
9 Emmanuel Emenike
‘The new Bull’ was a delight to watch as he powered his way through defences. He shouldered the Eagles goal-scoring responsibilities. He is strong and fast and that ensured he finished as the tournament top scorer with four goals and three assists He was sorely missed in the final against Burkina Faso. He was picked on the official Team of the Tournament by CAF.
4 Nosa Igiebor
He came to the AFCON riding on a lot of expectations, but he failed to replicate his performance in the qualifiers and during the build-up where it mattered most.
- Reuben Gabriel
Kano pillars combative midfielder was Keshi's number one choice in holding midfield role, but for a long-term groin injury and chicken pox. He therefore lost his place in the team and so was one of several players who did not clock a minute of action in South Africa.
8 Sunday Mba
Yet another revelation for the Eagles. He replaced the struggling Nosa Igiebor and made the most of his opportunity so much so Igiebor warmed the bench by the third match against Ethiopia. His cracking match winners against Cote d'Ivoire and Burkina Faso will most likely have enhanced his market value and now a move to Europe is very much on the cards.
5 Fegor Ogude
He was the preferred holding midfielder in Eagles and started slowly but he improved as the competition progressed. Unfortunately, he lost his place to youngster Ogenyi Onazi after he was suspended for the quarterfinal clash against Cote d’Ivoire.
9 Victor Moses
He ought to have been picked as the Most Valuable Player of the entire tournament as he was a great influence for the eventual champions as well as their best player. He initiated most of the Eagles attack with his free role in the team. His dribbling skills, pace and vision for goal were threats to opposing teams. He scored twice from the penalty spot and was picked in the tournament XI.
3 Ejike Uzoenyi
The smallish left winger was a surprise pick for the AFCON. He played just a game, but he was not in his element and could not show what he is capable of.
2 Obiora Nwankwo
He featured late in the second half against Zambia, but was shadow of himself in the game.
All the players with less than 5 points should be replaced with new discoveries as we continue to build. They've had their own chances. I think the win will bolster new discoveries and people will be motivated to play for the country again.
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