Head coach of the senior national team of Nigeria Eric Chelle has made changes to the starting lineup for today’s world cup qualifiers playoff game against Dr Congo, OwnGoalNigeria.com can exclusively reveal.
Nigeria secured their pass to the final with a 4-1 thrashing of Gabon after extra time on Thursday, while Dr Congo scored a late goal to beat Cameroon 1-0 for a spot in today’s final.
Chelle who was relieved after hearing that Wilfred Ndidi will be eligible to play in today’s game, despite picking up a yellow card in the win over Gabon in addition to his yellow card during the regular qualifiers in the group stage.
CAF said yellow card picked up during the group stage of qualifiers are not carried into the playoff. Meaning Ndidi is free and will keep his place in the starting lineup, alongside the duo of Alex Iwobi and Frank Onyeka.
It’s in defence that the coach has made changes with Semi Ajayi returning to pair Calvin Bassey, pushing Benjamin Fredrick to the right back spot and Bright Osayi-Samuel drops to the bench.
In attack Moses Simon remains on the bench with Samuel Chukwueze expected to keep his spot from the start. Ademola Lookman also keeps his spot behind the main striker Victor Osimhen who scored a brace on Thursday.
Starting XI: Nwabali, Fredrick, Zaidu, Ajayi, Bassey, Onyeka, Iwobi, Ndidi, Lookman, Chukwueze, Osimhen
