How every Super Eagles star performed in Tuesday’s Carabao Cup action: Player ratings

The 2026-27 EFL Cup season resumed yesterday, with several clubs in action featuring their Super Eagles stars, Afrik-Foot reports.

​Some clubs performed well, propelled by their Nigerian contingent stepping up to deliver. On the other hand, a few Super Eagles stars crashed out alongside their sides following disappointing defeats.

​In this article, we evaluate and rate the performances of the Nigerian stars who featured on Tuesday.

​Taiwo Awoniyi – 9/10

​Super Eagles striker Taiwo Awoniyi earned his first start for Coventry City as they traveled to Home Park to take on Plymouth Argyle.

​The Sky Blues were the favorites heading into the tie, and they wasted no time stamping their authority on the contest.

​Awoniyi opened the scoring in just the third minute, latching onto a clever flick from Caleb Yirenkyi to go clean through on goal before calmly slotting past the goalkeeper to make it 1-0.

Taiwo Awoniyi off the mark in @CoventryCityFC colours 🩵#EFL | #CarabaoCup pic.twitter.com/bxfnBRqhfT

— Carabao Cup (@Carabao_Cup) August 25, 2026

That marked his first goal for Coventry following his transfer last week. While Plymouth were still reeling from the early setback, Coventry struck again two minutes later. This time, Awoniyi turned provider, setting up Jack Rudoni with a fine pass before the Englishman drove forward and finished past the keeper.

​Plymouth boast two Nigerian players in Owen Oseni and Xavier Amaechi. While Oseni missed out through injury, Amaechi netted a consolation goal as the match ended 4-2 after 90 minutes.

​Chuba Akpom – 7.5/10

​Super Eagles hopeful Chuba Akpom provided an assist for Ipswich Town in their 3-1 victory over Leicester City.

​The Nigerian attacker registered four shots and looked sharp throughout the encounter. His assist for Marcelino Núñez’s second goal helped calm any lingering nerves following a goalless first half.

​Bright Osayi-Samuel – 5.8/10

​Super Eagles defender Bright Osayi-Samuel played the full 90 minutes for Birmingham City as they suffered a heavy 6-1 defeat at home to Brentford.

​Goals from Callum Wilson, Aaron Hickey, Nathan Collins, Mikkel Damsgaard, and Igor Thiago rendered Demarai Gray’s strike a mere consolation.

​Osayi-Samuel was left helpless throughout the night as his side repeatedly fished the ball out of their own net. While his individual display was not disastrous, a shaky collective defensive showing let him down.

​Ola Aina – 6.3/10

​Super Eagles defender Ola Aina endured another difficult outing in a Nottingham Forest shirt. He started as Forest hosted Leeds United at the City Ground for the second time in four days. While the previous meeting ended in a 1-0 win for Leeds, the visitors secured an even more comfortable 2-0 victory this time around.

​The contest remained evenly poised for long spells with both sides creating promising openings, but Leeds proved far more clinical in converting their chances.

​Aina still looks somewhat unconvincing in his new wing-back role, though he could grow into the position as the season progresses.