The senior national team of Nigeria had their second full training session ahead of Saturday’s AFCON qualifiers game against Benin Republic in Uyo, OwnGoalNigeria.com reports.
Under the watchful eyes of interim coach Austine Eguavoen, the Super Eagles had an almost two hours session with 22 of the invited 23 players available. Only the talisman of the team Victor Osimhen missed the session.
Osimhen was given an extra day to sort his transfer to Galatasaray on loan from Napoli, and he is expected later today when the build up to the game gather pace. Yesterday’s session gave us an idea of how the team will likely approach the game on Saturday.
Except for a late injury Stanley Nwabali is sure to start in goal ahead of Maduka Okoye who lost his number one spot to the Chippa United man at the AFCON. Despite his fine start to the season for Italian Serie A side Udinese he still won’t be in goal ahead of Nwabali.
The rest of the defence is where the headache is for Eguavoen who will likely feature a back four of Ola Aina at right back , Calvin Bassey as the left back while Semi Ajayi and William Troost-Ekong will continue their central defense pairing like it was at the AFCON.
Although the coach is a big fan of former Akwa United defender Olisa Ndah who now plays for Orlando Pirates of South Africa, this game is seen as too soon for him to staks a claim in the heart of the defence.
In midfield, Eguavoen will be expected to be ruthless in his choices although for now a double pivot of Frank Onyeka and Wilfred Ndidi seems to be his preferred option with Alex Iwobi slightly ahead of the duo.
With Osimhen yet to arrive in the camp of the team, Victor Boniface has a huge chance of leading the lime ahead of Taiwo Awoniyi of Nottingham Forest. Moses Simon and Ademola Lookman completes what will likely be a 4-3-3 formation.
