A top official has revealed that coach Augustine Eguavoen’s starting XI against Ghana in Kumasi was “a shock” because he listed a bare midfield, which was as expected overran by the Black Stars.
“We were all shocked [with Eguavoen’s team set up],” a leading Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) official told journalist Osasu Obayiuwana.
“He suggested that he will go with a 4-3-3 formation, so as not to give Ghana space in the midfield.
“It ought to have been (Innocent) Bonke, (Joe) Aribo and (Oghenekaro) Etebo in the midfield with Moses Simon, Victor Osimhen and Ademola Lookman in attack.
“He finally decided to play with Kelechi Iheanacho [as an attacking midfielder] and we were back to the way we played at the Afcon [against Tunisia].”
In the first leg, Ghana started strongly, enjoyed more of the possession, before the Eagles eventually grew into the game but failed to put away the chances they created.
