The last of the Nigerian Football Federation officials and football stakeholders left St Peterburg on Sunday for Nigeria after the Super eagles crashed out of the competition on Friday. Nigerian players earlier left Russia to rejoin with respective team mates in clubside football. As we review Nigeria’s outing at the world cup, we take look the top 5 players who really showed the quality in Russia.
Leon Balogun
The Brighton & Hoves central defender despite a shambolic outing against Croatia in the opening game of the world cup, recovered in time to put a dominant display against Iceland as well as Argentina. The super eagle’s player looked to have mastered the right hand side of the Nigeria 3 man defense as he put up a dominant display.
Ahmed Musa
Musa exclusion from the starting lineup in the opening game against Croatia came as a shock to the Nigerian media as the player remained the only player to have actually scored in the world cup. The attacker however proved critics wrong by netting brace in the 2-0 win over Iceland in the second game. He was a threat to Abiceleste defense in the third game and remains the top performer in the attacking department of the Nigerian team.
Kenneth Omeruo
Another surprising omission by Gernot Rohr in the opening game of the world cup. His introduction in the second game brought back stability in the Nigeria defense as his aerial presence was crucial. Despite been beaten by Lionel Messi, remains a top performer in the world cup.
Oghenekaro Etebo
Etebo remains one of the positives the super eagles had in their outing as he put up a dominant performance at the middle of the park. The Stoke midfielder was able to link up with the attackers as well as the midfielders as he reduced the workload on Mikel
Francis Uzoho
Francis Uzoho no doubt deserves applause on his performance in his first world cup outing as he put up saves when called to action. The Deportivo la Coruna shot-stopper was able to make goal bound saves as well as direct set piece attempts. Despite picking the ball from his net 4 times, remains a top performer in the world cup.