V. Enyeama – 6 Vincent Enyeama had the toughest job with regards keeping 100% focus throughout the game. he couldn’t afford to dream to soar like Nigerian fans. Any moment to quickly catch a snooze would have been catastrophic as it almost was with a daring save he had to make from one of Iran’s set pieces. It would probably have been a different story to write this morning had Iran defeated Nigeria last night. He earned a deserving a Player rating 6.

E. Ambrose – 4 Defender Efe Ambrose was a complete let down. Yes he made runs up front, however, personally I am shocked that Coach Keshi or Daniel Amokachi, his assistant never identified the fatal flaw in this defender. The guy simply doesn’t have the ability to cross the ball. he simply doesn’t. It was a laughable display. Calamitous to be honest. Player rating 4 is extremely generous because he was simply awful and soulless.   K. Omeruo – 4

This young Chelsea defender definitely has a future ahead of him, hence the reason Mourinho loan the yet to be developed gem to Middlesborough club. Kenneth Omeruo simply isn’t ready for a stage such as the world cup if truth were to be told. Having insinuated that, he was the only one that remotely showed any composure worthy of a world cup playing defender in the team. Player rating 4.   G. Oboabo – 3

Godfrey Itama Oboabona is a Nigerian international footballer who plays for Turkish club Çaykur Rizespor. He sustained an injury early on inn the match, 29th minute to be precise and had to be replaced by the record the team captain Joseph Yobo. he didn’t stand out for me before his injury and I don’t know enough of his Turkish club Çaykur Rizespor, let alone this defender. Did the team miss him? Of course yes, to share of the blames and curses that are being pelted out around the world. I will give him a player rating of 3.   J. Oshaniwa – 4

Juwon Oshaniwa plays as a left back for Israeli Premier League club F.C. Ashdod. It shows. This footballer may be world class for his Israeli club, he definitely isn’t for his country. He looked dazed a times and out of place. How on earth Keshi discovered this footballer is a mystery. How did he impress keshi to warrant a call up. Player rating 4.   O. Onazi – 5

Ogenyi Eddy Onazi, the 21-year-old Lazio central midfielder had his bright moments, but in a team that connived to stress out Super Eagles fans the world over, he was no diamond. He tried desperately hard to impress, yet it wasn’t to be. He deserves a player rating 5

 

John Mikel Obi – 3 John Mikel Obi was the greatest of all disappointment in the match against Iran. This ‘used-to-be talented’ midfielder who had little play at his English club Chelsea displayed the reasons his coach sees little reasons to select him. Many forget to remember that Mikel Obi’s attacking flair was recognised at 2005 FIFA World Youth Championship in the Netherlands. Mikel had more shots on goal than Argentina’s Lionel Messi, whose goals propelled his country to the trophy at the expense of Nigeria. At the tournament, the rivalry between both players was so unimaginable that a few eyebrows were raised when Messi won the MVP award ahead of Mikel, who settled for the silver ball. What has happened since then can’t be comprehended. While Messi has gone on to win  FIFA Ballon d’Or 3 times in row (2010-2012), narrowly missing the 2013 edition to Cristiano Ronaldo, Mikel Obi on the other hand has never graced the world stage as an award winner except with the winning Chelsea team. Lucky in that regard I must add. Mikel Obi against Iran was never interested in making runs forward except sideways and backwards. The 24-year-old player has almost become a ‘has-been’ whose talents haven’t been enjoyed for Nigeria at senior level. Player rating of 3 is what he deserves. To whom much is given, much is expected. Ramon Azeez – 4

Ramon Olamilekan Azeez plays for UD Almería in Spain. Fair enough, he made many dashing runs on the wings, but his crosses and set pieces were atrociously below par. Does he deserve to be in the team, only Keshi could tell. He was duly substituted in the 69th minute by Peter Odemwingie to everybody’s relief. Player rating 4 is what he deserves. A. Musa – 4

Ahmed Musa plays forward for Russian club CSKA Moscow. While he desperately wanted to sore like an eagle, he couldn’t. He made the runs, however, the strange European style of play that was adopted by his boss conspired against him. It was to be his night. he deserves more I must say, but I couldn’t justify awarding him a higher Player rating score of 4. E. Emenike – 4

Emmanuel Chinenye Emenike plays as a striker for Fenerbahçe in the Turkish Super Lig. Much was expected of Emenike, but he simply couldn’t deliver when his team mates couldn’t make better use of the ball. as a striker, he is totally depended on his mid-fielders and set pieces. However, on the night against Iran, it was generally an off day for all. He is no Messi, and he wouldn’t pretend to be one. It wasn’t likely he could single handedly change the game and the game ended a record goal less draw, the first in the competition. Player rating 5 is all he was able to muster.   V. Moses – 4

To be honest, I was as puzzled as Victor Moses was when he was substituted and had to make way for Shola Ameobi. He was enterprising and attempted on several occasions to salvage the shoddy passes laid on to him. I am sure he may have gone on to positively affect the game alongside  Peter Odemwingie. He was replaced 7 minutes in the second half. Player rating 4.

Substitutes

S. Ameobi – 3

Zaria born, 32-year-old Foluwashola “Shola” Ameobi has spent 14 years at Newcastle United, however, he only made a few appearances this past season. What could be the reasons keshi chose Shola at the downturn of his career remains confusing. I couldn’t see what other advantage he was bringing to the team apart from his headers during set pieces, and his obvious experience which didn’t get much attention last season at newcastle. He didn’t deserve to come on for Victor Moses. Victor came back to defend, while Shola was no where to be found. Victor played for the team, while Shola wanted to prove his inclusion in the team. Player rating 3.    Joseph Yobo – 5

Joseph Phillip Yobo plays as a centre back for Fenerbahçe. He has justified a return to the team. He shone at the back, one of the few to and brought a bit of stability amongst his stage freight colleagues on the pitch. You could almost hear him barking out instructions. He wasn’t fantastic, but solely on yesterday’s match, he was above average. One of the few who could raise his head. Again, couldn’t give a Player rating score higher than 5.    Peter Odemwingie – 6

Peter Osaze Odemwingie plays as a striker for Premier League club Stoke City.Why didn’t he start the match against Iran? Was it a tactical decision? Why Ramon Azeez whom he eventually replaced had to play for 69 minutes is beyond my comprehension. Ozaze came on and immediately changed the tempo of the Super Eagles. While Mikel Obi dictated the sluggish approach, Ozaze, with a purpose came back to take the ball off all in order to distribute. He had a mission, to make his presence felt. He did. Many scratched their heads at Keshi’s tactics against Iran. It will be a disaster if Ozaze is made to start from the bench against a must win match with Bosnia and Herzegovina. Player rating 6, making him the star player for super eagles with just about 25 minutes on the field of play, if you were to add extra time.   Stephen Keshi – 2

‘The Boss’ as he is affectionately called got his tactics all wrong. if he not a proud man, he would readily admit to this. He must have mentioned it a million times that the danger man in the Iranian team is, strangely, their head coach Carlos Queiroz whom he praised for his tactical acumen. It was therefore evident that Keshi tried to out-think Carlos, thereby neglecting his own style of play. He played into the hands of Carlos who lapped the ‘victory’, earning Iran their foist world cup point after three attempts of trying. A record for both Carlos and Keshi. I sincerely hope Keshi has learnt his lessons. he has a mountain to climb. I will suggest he ignores all Newspapers, hard copies or online for the next few days and simply focus on getting a reason against Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) who many thought deserved a better result against Argentina. The BiH, after watching Nigeria vs Iran match will fancy their chances of qualifying to the next round with favourites Argentina. COACH RATING – 2