Victor Osimhen is the Super Eagles biggest omission in today’s AFCON warm-up against Guinea.
The Napoli striker is being rested because two of the team’s four strikers are now battling to be fit for the AFCON.
Osimhen will start from the bench, but could still feature later in the encounter.
He played “a relaxed game” in the 12-0 mauling of Al Gharib of Dubai Sunday and still netted twice and provided a couple of assists.
Both Kelechi Iheanacho and Victor Boniface are nursing muscular injuries leading up the tournament.
The result is that Real Sociedad striker Sadiq Umar will lead the attack today.
Uncapped Stanley Nwabali and Alhassan Yusuf will also start from the first whistle.
It is for the players to now prove the confidence coach Jose Peseiro has in them.
The Eagles will play a 4-3-3 formation with Awaziem the main defensive pivot in midfield supported by Raphael Onyedika and Alhassan Yusuf playing an advanced and attacking role to link the attack.
William Ekong and Kenneth Omeruo provide the most experienced central defensive combination available to the team at present.
Super Eagles Starting XI (4-3-3): Nwabali-Osayi-Samuel, Zaidu, Omeruo, Ekong – Awaziem, Alhassan, Onyedika- Moses Simon, Chukwueze, Sadiq Umar
