Nigeria starting eleven for the match against Seychelles
Come Friday afternoon, Nigeria will be playing their last match in Group E of the African Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifying. They are taking on Seychelles at home, at the Stephen Keshi Stadium.
This game will have no impact on the group, but it’s a good test for the Super Eagles who have already qualified. After losing to South Africa in the opening match, Nigeria recovered and won three straight games before drawing 1:1 against South Africa.
Sitting at the top of Group E with ten points, Nigeria has already qualified for the 2019 AFCON. All that’s left is to see whether they will finish first or second in the group. Of course, they would want to finish on a high, which is why they are fielding their “A” squad against Seychelles.
After training this whole week, coach Gernot Rohr has announced who will be starting the match, out of the 23-strong squad.
Currently on loan to Deportivo La Coruna in Spain, Francis Uzoho is back at goal for the Super Eagles for his 13th cap.
The defence has been solid during the qualifying campaign and now they have Abdullahi Shehu back from injury as well. He will be starting as a right back while Jamilu Collins will be in the right back position. Kenneth Omeruo and William Troost-Ekong will take their place in the middle of the defence.
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Rohr is planning to start with two defensive midfielders. Wilfred Ndidi is once again a sure starter. Two players have been competing this past week for the second place, John Ogu and Oghenekaro Etebo. Coach Rohr has chosen Etebo to start the match.
In the absence of John Obi Mikel, Ahmed Musa will once again captain his side from midfield. With Samuel Kalu not available, Henry Onyekuru will join Musa in midfield. Alex Iwobi will take also take his free role in midfield, just behind the attacker.
With plenty of talented attackers to choose from, Rohr had a hard decision to make. Victor Osimhen is having a great season in Belgium, but Odion Ighalo got the nod to start the game. The decision probably came down to the goals Ighalo scored against Libya in the qualifiers. Osimhen will join Paul Onuachu on the bench as reserve forwards.
Gernot Rohr has decided to field a 4-2-3-1 formation in this match. Here’s the full list of starters:
Goal: Francis Uzoho
Defence: Kenneth Omeruo, William Troost-Ekong, Abdullahi Shehu, Jamilu Collins
Midfield: Wilfred Ndidi, Oghenekaro Etebo, Ahmed Musa, Henry Onyekuru and Alex Iwobi
Attack: Odion Ighalo