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The Super Eagles right-back’s performances against Guinea-Bissau were encouraging in the humdrum doubleheader.
Barring a disaster in Africa Cup of Nations qualifying, Nigeria were unlikely to miss out on the showpiece to be held in Cote d'Ivoire at the start of 2024.
Two nations are going through across the 12 groups — apart from Group H that contains the Elephants — with the Super Eagles' opponents Sierra Leone, Guinea-Bissau and Sao Tome and Principe ranked 108th, 115th and 189th, respectively, when the national teams were seeded into four pots in 2022.
Since April last year, the Leone Stars have fallen eight places, Djurtus now rank 118th and Sao Tome have risen three spots to 186th. Thus, failure to secure a spot at AFCON 2023 would have required complete mismanagement by everyone involved with the Super Eagles.
Four games down, and it seems the three-time West African champions will not have egg on their face after all. This is despite falling behind in their opening game of qualifying with Sierra Leone last year before winning 2-1 and bungling the Guinea-Bissau fixture last Friday in Abuja.
Jose Peseiro’s team needed to show something different in the reverse fixture on Monday, but did we learn anything new in the 1-0 success?
The post-game reaction was mainly unenthusiastic, with supporters criticising the team’s performance against a side ranked 83 places below them in the FIFA Men’s World Ranking.
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18:57 - 27.03.2023
WHAT'S BUZZIN Reactions as Nigerians call out Chukwueze and Osimhen despite 0-1 win vs Guinea-Bissau in AFCON 2023 qualifier
Super Eagles of Nigeria managed to get their revenge against Guinea-Bissau, but Nigerians were far from pleased with a number of stars.
The cup seems half-empty, with observers left feeling underwhelmed after waiting four months to see the Super Eagles following last November’s 4-0 thrashing at the hands of Portugal.
Be that as it may, it is easy to have a negative outlook and ignore the few encouraging signs amid the continued disapproval of Peseiro and his side, forgetting that this team showed reassuring intent in the opening half-hour, especially without the ball, only to be let down by flawed decision-making and execution.
Missed chances by Victor Osimhen and Joe Aribo after the break could have added some gloss to the final score that might have given fans the necessary cheer.
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20:10 - 27.03.2023
AFCON 2023 Player ratings: Osimhen subpar as Super Eagles get revenge against Guinea-Bissau
How every Nigerian player fared as the Super Eagles beat Guinea-Bissau
As positive signs go, Bright Osayi-Samuel was the undoubted standout in Bissau, possibly over both games against Baciro Cande’s troops.
The Fenerbahce right-back may not have matched the level of performance shown in Abuja a few days back, even though he still somewhat epitomised the Super Eagles’ early intent on Monday.
His front-footed style saw him win the penalty that decided the game, although that one moment should not diminish the admirable work preceding that decisive situation in which he took the initiative in the attacking third.
Osayi-Samuel was involved in the eighth-minute move involving Alex Iwobi and Samuel Chukwueze that ended with Terem Moffi’s goal-bound attempt being blocked by Opa Sangante.
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About 10 minutes later, quick thinking from a corner saw Chukwueze play it short to Moses Simon, the right-back consequently made the overlapping run and nearly won a penalty, but Mama Balde’s tackle was legitimate.
The incident that decided the game was typical of the right back. After receiving possession from the Villarreal wide attacker...
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...the right-back surges past Jorginho...
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...and wins the spot kick by outdoing Guinea-Bissau left-back Fali Cande.
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Without the ball, there were two standout moments for Osayi-Samuel.
When a long ball from Jonas Mendes in the 39th minute sees Kenneth Omeruo clear the ball haphazardly to the right side...
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...the Fenerbahce full-back does not panic to foul Jorginho.
Instead, the 25-year-old stays on his feet and picks his moment to dispossess the left winger.
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Subsequently, in the 64th minute, a potential counter-attack is thwarted by the wide defender.
After Simon gets double-teamed on the left flank, the ball is played to Moreto Cassama from Alfa Semedo, and the central midfielder releases Dalcio down the left wing...
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...but the defender is at ease as he reads the winger’s attempt to beat him with a nutmeg...
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...regains possession...
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...and Nigeria are on the front foot moments later.
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Furthermore, it was noticeable how Osayi-Samuel intermittently looked to invert during the away side’s build-up in the second half.
A perfect illustration came in the 74th minute when the Fenerbahce man (circled) was on the right touchline at the start of the move.
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But he is already in central midfield to receive the ball from Semi Ajayi seconds later...
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...thus drawing a couple of confused opponents out of position.
He consequently passes to Chukwueze, who is isolated with Piqueti, but the Villarreal winger fails to take advantage of the Super Eagles’ favourable situation.
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Osayi-Samuel’s Monday showing was not as accomplished as last Friday when he fashioned three opportunities, won 10 of 11 duels and beat his marker five times from six attempts.
Still, it was good enough to satisfy fans who were mostly disgruntled at the final whistle.
It was only his third appearance for the Super Eagles, and the 25-year-old can only get better.
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08:10 - 25.03.2023
SUPER EAGLES Peseiro's lack of conviction and composure is betraying an exciting crop
The Portuguese coach is achieving the impossible: he is somehow making an abundance of attacking talent not only ineffective, but tedious to watch
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