Coach Jose Peseiro has made four changes in his Super Eagles starting XI for tonight’s epic AFCON Round of 16 match against the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon.
William Ekong has shaken off a thigh problem in time to return in place of Kenneth Omeruo, who stood in for him in the heart of the back three against Guinea Bissau.
Fulham midfielder Alex Iwobi will also take his position in midfield after Joe Aribo failed to shine after he started against Guinea Bissau.
Ademola Lookman, who was originally to start for the Guinea Bissau game before Peseiro opted for Samuel Chukwueze, will start on the left wing of the attack.
And Zaidu Sanusi reclaims his place at left back position of the team.
The injury situation of the FC Porto star forced the team to draft Bright Osayi-Samuel to right back, while the on-form Ola Aina moved to left back.
Antwerp midfielder Alhassan Yusuf has recovered from a thigh injury, but he will not be rushed back to the starting XI.
He could most probably get a run out tonight depending on his the game is going,
Peseiro has thus maintained almost the same players he has used at this tournament and he has also stuck to a 3-4-3 formation that has brought stability and clean sheets back in defence.
The system has also ensured the Super Eagles created many chances and the problem of the team has been making the most of these chances.
Super Eagles Starting XI (3-4-3) – Stanley Nwabali – Calvin Bassey, William Ekong (Captain), Semi Ajayi – Ola Aina, Zaidu Sanusi, Frank Onyeka, Alex Iwobi – Ademola Lookman, Victor Osimhen, Moses Simon
I dont know why this coach prefers Moses Simon to Ihenacho a proven stiker and fighter on the pitch. How many goals have Simon scored? He is a selfish player who dribbles and loses the ball. I hope the coach will lovs his job and do the right thing.
I think Kelechi is just coming back from injury, but I see him playing in this game in later period.
This is a match I would have loved to see iwobi and Kelechi feature together.
Please Super Eagles strikers, I urge you guys to start scoring goals in order to make your tournament easier. Be clinical in front of goal. Use your common sense whenever you are on the pitch.
Jose peseiro should include iheanacho in this vs Cameroon. I don’t know why he as decided to make iheanacho a bench warmer instead of a playmaker. Whatever grudges the coach may have with the player he should keep it out of this game, after all if not for international duty iheanacho wouldn’t have see peseiro’s face let alone to play under him.
Lastly, after the AFCON, federal government of Nigeria and Nigeria football federation should come to an agreement of handing the role of coaching super eagles to any of our football legend. We have the likes of Jay Jay okocha, kanu nwakwo, finidi George, John utaka, Mikel obi, Daniel amokachi, Emmanuel amunike, victor ikpeba etc. please let’s wipe out the idea of a foreigner coaching the super eagles team. Super eagles today is a strong and giant team in Africa and the world 🌍 at large. Let’s not take this team for granted, give this coaching role to our own citizen and watch how things flow, it is only our own citizen that can understand super eagles players especially this current squad. I hope this will get to the highest authority and action to be taken as soon as. Thank you…
Why mentioning Mikel Obi among these.None of these can Obi match,when we are now even talking of coaching
If indeed Alhassan and Ihenacho have fully recovered, I see them coming in to tame the potentially rampaging Lions today. What counts is 3 points today. There may not be a harvest of goals for the Eagles . Go Eagles !
Pereira should support Osimhen with Iheanacho. Osimhen is an assist specialist and also a good goal scorer.
Let yususf and ihenacho be part and defeat Cameron please
I wish iheanacho, team mate Wilfred Ndidi, were to future pari-pasu, in this much needed to be won match.
Howbeit, it’s well for iheanacho to come in as a substitute, during the second half, after he must have understudied the game from bench and identifying the weak areas of Cameron defence line.
Victory! Victory!! Victory!!! for the super eagles, in Jesus Mighty Name. Amen.