Interim Super Eagles coach George Finidi will line up his strongest team against Mali tomorrow night even though he has hinted he will freshen the team who beat Ghana 2-1 in a first friendly in Marrakesh, Morocco, at the weekend.
“He will not take any chances, he will go with his best team because he knows that the jury is still out on him as it concerns bagging the Super Eagles top position on a permanent basis,” a top source close to the team in Morocco told SCORENigeria
That means that the more experienced Kenneth Omeruo, who picked up a knock in training, will most likely start ahead of Benjamin Tanimu, who got his debut against Ghana.
Finidi will also keep the core of the team that started against the Black Stars and so goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali, Wilfred Ndidi, Chidozie Awaziem, Semi Ajayi and Alex Iwobi will retain their starting berths.
Mali enjoyed a better 2023 AFCON than Ghana as they were knocked out in the Round of 16 and they are most likely to offer a stiffer competition than what the Black Stars did.
The Eagles from Bamako are also rebuilding after the AFCON and so called up several debutants, while top star and midfielder Yves Bisouma from Premier League club Spurs was overlooked.
They were comfortable 2-0 winners over Mauritania, who also reached the last 16 at the 2023 AFCON, with two early goals.