Head coach of the senior national team of Nigeria Eric Chelle has revealed his starting lineup for today’s AFCON 2027 qualifiers against Madagascar in Uyo, Owngoalnigeria.com reports.
The coach as we earlier reported stuck to his prefered diamond formation which uses a four man attack with Nigeria keen on starting the qualifiers on a strong note.
We can exclusively reveal that Stanley Nwabali is back in goal for the first time since the AFCON, with the quartet of Semi Ajayi, Calvin Bassey, Ola Aina and Bruno Onyemaechi as the back four.
In the midfield the coach stuck to a two man pair of Wilfred Ndidi and Alex Iwobi. A familiar combination he used at the AFCON where Nigeria finished third.
In attack it will be the quartet of Ademola Lookman, Samuel Chukwueze, Akor Adams and new boy George Ilenikhena leading the chase for goals. Although Moses Simon could be drafted in for his 100 caps and possibly wear the captain armband.
It will be the first game for 20 year old Ilenikhena who was born in Nigeria but raised in France, and the Al Ittihad man is expected to be in a role behind Adams who will be the main man in attack in the absence of Victor Osimhen.
Starting XI..
Nwabali, Aina, Bruno, Ajayi, Bassey, Ndidi, Iwobi, Akor, Lookman, Chukwueze/Simon, George Ilenikhena.
Mohammed Mowiz Suleiman
