Skipper Ahmed Musa has won the fight for a first-team place against Sierra Leone today ahead of Kelechi Iheanacho with Kevin Akpoguma and goalkeeper Maduka Okoye also starting for the Super Eagles.
Akpoguma of German Bundesliga side Hoffenheim will play at rightback in Gernot Rohr’s preferred 4-2-3-1 formation with FC Porto ace Zaidu Sanusi at leftback and the ‘Oyibo Wall’ of William Ekong and Leon Balogun in the heart of the back four.
As expected, Sparta Rotterdam goalkeeper Okoye will man the post after what he showed in the friendlies against Algeria and Tunisia last month.
This will be his fourth cap and his home debut with the Eagles.
Ogehenekaro Etebo and Joe Aribo will be the defensive midfielders with Alex Iwobi playing in a more advanced role just behind the top striker Victor Osimhen.
Ahmed Musa and Samuel Chukwueze are the wingers.
Super Eagles starting XI vs Sierra Leone (4-2-3-1): Maduka Okoye – Zaidu Sanusi, Akpoguma, Ekong, Balogun – Etebo, Aribo – Chukwueze, Iwobi, Ahmed Musa – Osimhen
