Caretaker coach Augustine Eguavoen could freshen his Super Eagles starting XI and tactics for them to post a big home win Libya, who will most likely ‘park the bus’ in today’s 2025 AFCON qualifier.
Eguavoen has not hidden his target against Libya – win all six points on offer in this double-header.
He will therefore need a confidence-boosting win today in Uyo so that the reverse tie in Benina Tuesday night will be a lot easier for his star-studded squad.
‘Cerezo’ employed the 3-4-3 formation for the matches against Benin and Rwanda last month.
He could now consider a 4-3-3 going by his training this week in Uyo.
What would then be the question is – who will he start today?
He is most likely to keep faith the bulk of the starters from September with strong indications he could tweak a few personnel in defence and midfield.
Were he to go with the 4-3-3, Calvin Bassey may be selected ahead of Semi Ajayi to partner captain William Ekong with Ola Aina and Bruno Onyemaechi the fullbacks.
In a 3-4-3 formation, Ajayi will start alongside Bassey and Ekong with Ola Aina and Onyemaechi the wing backs.
In midfield, Wilfred Ndidi will be the main pivot with Alex Iwobi, while it will be a straight fight between Fisayo Dele Bashiru and Frank Onyeka in a 4-3-3 formation.
Victor Boniface will keep his place as the arrowhead of the attack with Ademola Lookman also guaranteed his place in attack.
AC Milan winger Samuel Chukwueze started both games last month, but he is being pushed very closely by Moses Simon, who replaced him in both matches, for the other remaining spot in attack.
Likely Super Eagles Starting XI vs Libya (3-4–3) Nwabali – Calvin Bassey, Ekong (Captain), Semi Ajayi – Bruno Onyemaechi, Wilfred Ndidi, Alex Iwobi, Ola Aina – Ademola Lookman, Victor Boniface, Samuel Chukwueze
