Nigeria’s Super Eagles exited the 2025 Africa Nation’s Championship in the group stage after losing out in their first two games.
Even though the team salvaged some pride with a 2-0 win over Congo in their last group game, it was too late for them to make progress to the quarter-finals.
Their embarrassing exit from the tournament has generated a lot of furore back home, with an inquest into their abysmal performance set to begin.
However, there were a few players who impressed for the Super Eagles and left the tournament with their heads held high.
After Nigeria’s exit, Rivers United assistant coach Olanrewaju Daniel, who has coached a few of the players in the Nigeria squad, spoke exclusively to footy-africa.com and reeled out his best five players from the Nigerian side at the tournament.
Raymond Tochukwu (Midfield)
The midfielder Raymond Tochukwu was deployed in an uncharacteristic deeper midfield role, but he impressed. The wayward shots were a concern surely as he sought to make things happen as things went awry, but he went about his business in a system that did not encourage his qualities.
Daniel: He did well playing in an unfamiliar role with the team but you could see that he is versatile. He put in a decent shift and impressed me with his work rate. Maybe if he had played in a more central and creative role, we could have seen more of him.
Taiwo Abdulrafiu (Left-back)
The full-back Taiwo Abdulrafiu was the most consistent player on the roster. He was a menace running down the wings and a handful, despite having to defend the opposing team’s winger and defender. His crosses need polishing, however, he did have a hand in Nigeria’s second goal at the tournament, whipping in a cross that Sikiru Alimi knocked down for Anas Yusuf.
Daniel: I am sure a lot of Nigerians did not expect to see him start ahead of the other full-backs but he did well. I loved his tireless running down the flanks. He was energetic and covered his side of the pitch well. It is unfortunate that we got beat 4-0 by Sudan but even that game was not a bad one for him. He indeed impressed me.
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Qudus Akanni (Midfield)
The brightest spot in the opening game, Qudus Akanni was a live-wire all tournament when called upon. Nigeria’s best chances from open play were fashioned with him on the pitch. He came close to scoring against Senegal, but for his excessive curl on the ball. He operated in between the lines excellently in attack, doing his repute no harm.
Daniel: To be fair to him I did not expect him to start in the competition but he proved me wrong by some impressive performances when he was called upon. He covered everywhere in the midfield and was able to get a lot of free kicks for Nigeria with his trickery. Again, it is a pity how the tournament ended for the boys but Qudus (Akanni) will be able to hold his head high.
Anas Yusuf (Attack)
The league’s top-scorer Anas Yusuf rarely featured at the tournament and only came on in the final group game. However, when he was finally called upon, he delivered with Nigeria’s opening goal of the tournament. His positioning was interesting, playing off the shoulder of the last defender and feeding off Alimi’s knockdowns, it was no coincidence he got a goal from one such action.
Daniel: For me as a coach, and someone who has seen Anas from close quarters, I expected as the top-scorer in the league, he would have gotten more minutes than he did. If you look at his goal in the game against Congo, you will understand why I made that assertion. He had great awareness making the move to get the goals. I wish we had more of that in our other group games, maybe things would have been different then
Alex Oyowah (Midfield)
The schemer deserved Nigeria’s only man of the match award at the tournament. Alex Oyowah kept the game running smoothly in his only start all tournament. He played his conductor role aptly, playing quick, neat passes and winning duels where necessary. His carries and quick scans were effective for the team, putting the full backs in better crossing positions.
Daniel: I did not know why Alex did not get as many minutes as he did during the group stage, as his performance against Congo was top-notch. He controlled the midfield and knew when to release the pass with great vision on his part.
He deservedly got the Man of the Match in our only win at the tournament. He did very well and I am impressed.
