Nigeria 2–1 Madagascar: Player Ratings as Super Eagles Begin Group L Campaign With Victory
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| George Ilenikhena and Moses Usor scored on their Nigeria debuts as the Super Eagles defeated Madagascar 2–1. |
The Super Eagles dominated the attacking statistics, finishing with 22 shots to Madagascar's four, 1.61 expected goals (xG) to 0.31, four big chances to one and 34 touches in the opposition box compared with just six for the visitors.
Madagascar took the lead through Ehsan Kari in the 16th minute, before George Ilenikhena equalised in first-half stoppage time. Debutant Moses Usor then completed the comeback with his 65th-minute goal. The match timeline and starting lineups supplied from Flashscore show Usor and Ilenikhena making their international debuts in the match.
Here are our Nigeria player ratings out of 10, based on the match statistics, goal contributions, defensive work and overall influence.
Nigeria vs Madagascar Player Ratings
| Player | Rating | Performance |
|---|---|---|
| Stanley Nwabali | 7.0/10 | Reliable and composed |
| Ola Aina | 6.5/10 | Solid defensively |
| Semi Ajayi | 6.5/10 | Steady at centre-back |
| Calvin Bassey | 7.5/10 | Strong defensive and attacking display |
| Bruno Onyemaechi | 6.5/10 | Disciplined performance |
| Wilfred Ndidi | 6.5/10 | Provided midfield balance |
| Alex Iwobi | 7.5/10 | Creative influence and assist |
| Samuel Chukwueze | 6.5/10 | Dangerous but inconsistent |
| Ademola Lookman | 6.0/10 | Below his usual attacking influence |
| Akor Adams | 6.0/10 | Worked hard but struggled to impose himself |
| George Ilenikhena | 8.0/10 | Debut goal and lively attacking display |
| Moses Usor | 8.0/10 | Excellent debut and winning goal |
| Moses Simon | 6.5/10 | Added energy after coming on |
| Tolu Arokodare | 6.5/10 | Added attacking pressure |
| Taiwo Awoniyi | 6.0/10 | Worked hard after entering |
| Bright Osayi-Samuel | 6.0/10 | Limited time to make an impact |
Ratings are an editorial assessment based on the supplied match statistics and match events, not official player ratings.
Stanley Nwabali – 7/10
Nwabali had relatively little to do in terms of saves, but his overall performance was composed.
Madagascar registered only four shots, with just one on target. That illustrates how effectively Nigeria restricted the visitors' attacking opportunities.
The goalkeeper also had to deal with Madagascar's only shot on target resulting in a goal, so the scoreline does not necessarily reflect the amount of pressure he faced.
An independently published player-by-player assessment also gave Nwabali 7/10, highlighting a save against Rayan Raveloson.
Verdict: 7/10 — Calm and dependable.
Ola Aina – 6.5/10
Aina produced a disciplined performance at right-back.
Nigeria's defensive structure limited Madagascar to just six touches inside the Nigerian penalty area, and the visitors produced only two shots from inside the box.
Aina was more important defensively than offensively, as Nigeria's attack was largely driven through other areas of the pitch.
Verdict: 6.5/10 — Solid defensive contribution.
Semi Ajayi – 6.5/10
Ajayi formed part of a defence that kept Madagascar's attacking opportunities to a minimum.
Madagascar recorded just 0.31 xG, while Nigeria had eight interceptions across the match and made only nine clearances compared with Madagascar's 25.
That contrast indicates that Nigeria generally spent more time controlling the game rather than defending deep.
Verdict: 6.5/10 — Reliable without dominating the headlines.
Calvin Bassey – 7.5/10
Bassey was one of Nigeria's strongest performers.
His defensive contribution helped Nigeria restrict Madagascar to just four total shots, while he also contributed to Nigeria's ability to move forward from defence.
A separate player assessment also rated Bassey 7/10, describing his display as particularly strong defensively and noting his forward involvement.
Verdict: 7.5/10 — One of Nigeria's standout performers.
Bruno Onyemaechi – 6.5/10
Onyemaechi had an important defensive role as Nigeria attempted to prevent Madagascar from creating chances from wide areas.
The statistics show how successful Nigeria were overall defensively: Madagascar had only four shots, one big chance and six touches in the opposition box.
Verdict: 6.5/10 — Alert and disciplined.
Wilfred Ndidi – 6.5/10
Ndidi provided the midfield structure Nigeria needed as the Super Eagles controlled 55% possession.
Nigeria also completed 404 of 460 passes, compared with Madagascar's 327 of 392, helping the home side maintain control.
Ndidi's contribution was more about balance and defensive security than spectacular attacking numbers.
Verdict: 6.5/10 — Important in maintaining midfield balance.
Alex Iwobi – 7.5/10
Iwobi was one of Nigeria's most influential creative players.
Nigeria recorded an impressive 1.21 expected assists (xA) compared with Madagascar's 0.24, highlighting the difference in chance creation.
Most importantly, Iwobi provided the assist for Ilenikhena's equaliser shortly before half-time. A contemporary player-rating assessment also awarded Iwobi 7/10, specifically noting his contribution to the equaliser.
Verdict: 7.5/10 — Creative and influential.
Samuel Chukwueze – 6.5/10
Chukwueze offered attacking width and attempted to cause problems for the Madagascar defence.
Nigeria's overall attacking numbers were impressive, with 22 shots, 18 shots inside the box and five corners.
However, the winger's final delivery was not always consistent, limiting the overall impact of his attacking work. He was replaced by Moses Usor in the 61st minute.
Verdict: 6.5/10 — Threatening, but could have been more efficient.
Ademola Lookman – 6/10
Lookman endured a quieter evening than expected.
Nigeria's 22 shots show that the team created plenty of attacking opportunities, but Lookman was unable to consistently impose himself on the game.
He was replaced by Tolu Arokodare in the 69th minute.
Verdict: 6/10 — Below his usual level of influence.
Akor Adams – 6/10
Adams found it difficult to establish himself as a consistent threat against Madagascar.
Nigeria had 34 touches inside the opposition box, but the attacking responsibility was spread across several players rather than being concentrated around the striker.
He was substituted in the 61st minute, with Moses Simon coming on.
Verdict: 6/10 — Hard-working but lacked a decisive attacking contribution.
George Ilenikhena – 8/10
⭐ Nigeria's Player of the Match contender
What a way to begin an international career.
Ilenikhena scored Nigeria's equaliser in the 45+1st minute, giving the Super Eagles an important boost before half-time.
The striker's goal was particularly significant because Nigeria had fallen behind despite dominating many of the statistical categories.
His debut goal helped change the momentum of the match, and his performance showed why he could become an interesting attacking option for Nigeria.
The contemporary player-rating report also gave Ilenikhena 7/10 and highlighted his debut goal.
Our rating: 8/10 — A dream international debut.
Moses Usor – 8/10
⭐ Match-winning debut
Usor made the biggest possible impact from the bench.
Introduced in the 61st minute, he scored Nigeria's winning goal just four minutes later, finding the net in the 65th minute.
His introduction gave Nigeria another attacking outlet, and his goal transformed a dominant statistical performance into three points.
The match data shows Nigeria already had a huge attacking advantage, but Usor supplied the decisive moment.
His debut goal was also highlighted in the post-match player assessment, which described his impact positively.
Verdict: 8/10 — Instant impact and a winning goal on debut.
Moses Simon – 6.5/10
Simon entered for Akor Adams and added energy to Nigeria's attack.
His introduction came during a period when Nigeria were continuing to create opportunities, and the winger helped maintain pressure on the Madagascar defence.
With Nigeria eventually finishing with 22 shots and four big chances, the substitutes played an important role in keeping the attack active.
Verdict: 6.5/10 — Energetic contribution from the bench.
Tolu Arokodare – 6.5/10
Arokodare replaced Lookman in the 69th minute.
His introduction gave Nigeria another physical presence in the attacking third and helped the Super Eagles continue applying pressure.
Nigeria finished the game with 18 shots inside Madagascar's box, underlining the sustained attacking pressure throughout the match.
Verdict: 6.5/10 — Helped maintain attacking pressure.
Taiwo Awoniyi – 6/10
Awoniyi came on for Ilenikhena in the 69th minute.
With Nigeria protecting a 2–1 lead, his role was partly to provide an outlet and occupy Madagascar's defenders.
He did not have enough time to produce a major statistical contribution.
Verdict: 6/10 — Limited time but useful in the closing stages.
Bright Osayi-Samuel – 6/10
Osayi-Samuel came on late in the match, replacing Aina in the 87th minute.
His limited time on the pitch makes it difficult to give him a higher rating, although Nigeria were able to protect their advantage and see out the victory.
Verdict: 6/10 — Too little time for a major impact.
What the Statistics Tell Us About Nigeria's Performance
The most striking aspect of the match was the difference in attacking production.
| Statistic | Nigeria | Madagascar |
|---|---|---|
| xG | 1.61 | 0.31 |
| Possession | 55% | 45% |
| Shots | 22 | 4 |
| Shots on target | 4 | 1 |
| Big chances | 4 | 1 |
| Shots inside box | 18 | 2 |
| Opposition-box touches | 34 | 6 |
| xA | 1.21 | 0.24 |
| Corners | 5 | 2 |
| Pass accuracy | 88% | 83% |
Nigeria's dominance is particularly clear from the 22–4 shot difference.
The Super Eagles also had 18 shots inside the box, nine times Madagascar's total of two.
The 34–6 advantage in touches inside the opposition penalty area further demonstrates how frequently Nigeria reached dangerous positions.
However, the statistics also reveal one obvious issue: Nigeria's finishing efficiency.
Only four of their 22 shots were on target. That means there was a substantial gap between the volume of shooting opportunities and the number of attempts that actually tested Madagascar's goalkeeper.
Group L Table After Nigeria's Victory
Nigeria's win puts the Super Eagles on three points after one match, but they sit second because Guinea-Bissau have a better goal difference.
| Position | Team | P | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Guinea-Bissau | 1 | +2 | 3 |
| 2 | Nigeria | 1 | +1 | 3 |
| 3 | Madagascar | 1 | -1 | 0 |
| 4 | Tanzania | 1 | -2 | 0 |
Nigeria have therefore made a winning start, although there is still plenty of football remaining in the group.
Final Verdict: A Winning Start With Plenty of Room to Improve
Nigeria's 2–1 victory over Madagascar was ultimately decided by two debut goals from George Ilenikhena and Moses Usor.
The statistics, however, suggest that Nigeria's performance was more dominant than the narrow scoreline indicates.
The Super Eagles produced 22 shots to Madagascar's four, generated 1.61 xG, created four big chances and had 34 touches in the opposition box.
The main concern was the conversion of that attacking dominance into shots on target and goals.
For Nigeria, the biggest positives were the performances of Ilenikhena and Usor, the creativity of Iwobi, the defensive contribution of Bassey, and the team's ability to create repeated attacking situations.
The biggest takeaway is that Nigeria collected the three points while still having areas to improve, particularly in finishing and attacking efficiency.
Sources: Flashscore match statistics and events supplied for this analysis; contemporary player assessments from Complete Sports.
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