An idea of how the Super Eagles of Nigeria will likely line up against Benin Republic in tomorrow’s AFCON 2022 qualifiers have been provided by coach of the team Gernot Rohr.

This hint was dropped by the coach in yesterday’s training session which was their last in Nigeria before their departure for Benin Republic this morning.

During the course of the training session, Rohr had the players take on themselves in a practice match which ended in a 2-1 win for the team that looks likely to start tomorrow’s game.

The coach had Alex Iwobi playing from the left with Samuel Chukwueze on the right while Joe Aribo and Wilfred Ndidi were handed the task of anchoring the midfield. Kelechi Iheanacho will play just behind the main striker in Victor Osimhen.

In defence, the coach played a back four of Leon Balogun, William Troost Ekong, Zaidu Sanusi and Ola Aina with Maduka Okoye In goal for the team in Rohr’s favourite 4-3-2-1 formation.

Former Nigeria U17 invitee Prince Adegoke has accepted an invitation to be a part of the U18 squad of England for their games against Wales on Monday.

Although he will still remain eligible for Nigeria as the game is a friendly game. His decision to honour the call up confirms a report by Owngoalnigeria.com a month ago which was played down by his father.

The Nigerian website had reported that the teen shot stopper who recently signed professional terms with Chelsea and have been a part of their first team training is having a rethink over his decision to play for Nigeria.

He turned down the invitation which according to the website was because he was told he will be coming on trails and not a part of the squad for the 2019 Under-17 World Cup. A move which didn’t go down well with his camp.

Now he has accepted a late invitation to join the English U18 team which might see him decide to focus on the team at least for now but he could still switch to Nigeria if he fails to make grade or didn’t play for the first team in a competitive game.

Coach of the Squirrels of Benin Republic Michael Dussuyer says his team won’t go all out to attack the Super Eagles of Nigeria in tomorrow’s AFCON 2020 qualifiers.

Dussuyer’s side need a point to seal their spot at next year tournament same as Nigeria who are group leaders despite their failure to win any of their last two games which was the back to back tie against Sierra Leone.

In the reverse tie of this fixture, Benin Republic scored first but Nigeria recovered from the set back to win 2-1 with goals from Samuel Kalu and Victor Osimhen.

Speaking ahead of tomorrow’s game, Dussuyer said his team will approach the game with caution knowing fully well that Nigeria can take advantage of their defence if they pour forward in attack.

“ No team in Africa will go all out to attack the Super Eagles because they have qualities in attack to hurt you if you give them space. We will play with no fear but respect the quality of our opponents. Our tactics will be catch them on the break”, he told the media parley.

“ We have quick players who can locate out target man in the box. That’s our system of play in previous games and we won’t change it for this game. We want to qualify even if we don’t win, a draw will see us through”.

Ahead of their AFCON 2022 qualifiers game against Benin Republic on Saturday, the senior national team of Nigeria had their last training session in Nigeria ahead of departure this morning.

Coach of the team Gernot Rohr had the players up against each other in a practice match to test his formation for the game which a win or a draw will see them clinch a spot at next year Africa Cup of Nations.

Rohr watched on as they engage themselves in a game that ended 2-0 in favour of the team that consists of most of the players who will likely start on Saturday. Kelechi Iheanacho and Victor Osimhen got the goals.

The pair were played as the front two in the team of probables although Rohr later switched Iheanacho to the other team towards the end of the session as he continues to try out formations for the game.

Team A

Francis Uzoho
Ola Aina
Troost Ekong
Leon Balogun
Wilfred Ndidi
Joe Aribo
Alex Iwobi
Zaidu Sanusi
Samuel Chukwueze
Victor Osimhen
Kelechi Iheanacho

Team B

Maduka Okoye
Tyronne Ebuehi
Shehu Abdullahi
Jamilu Collins
Semi Ajayi
Chidozie Awaziem
Oghenekaro Etebo
Henry Onyekuru
Anayo Iwuala
Adekunle Adeleye
Ahmed Musa

Yesterday’s training session of the Super Eagles saw the players picked up the intensity of their display as battle for a spot in the starting lineup hots up.

Kelechi Iheanacho is doing his chances of a starting berth a whole lot of good as he played another five start performance in training which he capped with a brace. One of which was a well struck free kick.

Napoli record signing Victor Osimhen hasn’t looked out of place as well with his energy , skills and pace a menace to defenders. He was on the scoresheet yesterday and also laid an assist for Samuel Chukwueze.

After a poor start to his time with the Super Eagles, Enyimba winger Anayo Iwuala came alive yesterday with a performance that will no doubt put him in the frame for a call up. He tormented Ola Aina and Jamilu Collins with his pace and skills all through the session.

Other players who deserve a mention include Wilfred Ndidi, Alex Iwobi, Joe Aribo and Zaidu Sanusi as they were also very impressive during the one hour, forty five minutes session.

The Super Eagles of Nigeria rounded up their preparations in Nigeria yesterday ahead of their trip to Benin Republic today for the 2022 AFCON qualifiers.

Owngoalnigeria.com monitored their sessions in Lagos and picked five players who where outstanding and looking likely to pose a selection headache for coach Gernot Rohr.

Semi Ajayi

He has been brilliant all through. Calm and assured in possession and also very decisive in tackles as a matter of fact the team he defended for didn’t concede a goal in the two training sessions and he also capped it with two majestic headers during a drill on crosses.

Kelechi Iheanacho

Truly living up to his tag of senior man in training. He looked not just lively but deadly. In yesterday’s practice match his movement was too much for the duo of Leon Balogun and Troost Ekong to cope. He capped his display with a free kick goal. He hasn’t failed to score in all session so far.

Zaidu Sanusi

Looks a different player entirely. Rohr has been so impressed with him to the extent of putting his arms around him. Captain of the team Ahmed Musa told one of his teammate after yesterday’s session that Zaidu could remain as first choice left back for a very long time.

Wilfred Ndidi

Nothing goes past him. His range of passes has also improved tremendously particularly when he switches play. He is not just about himself anymore as he commands the entire midfield in training by barking out instructions. Surely in his best shape ever.

Ola Aina

One part of his game that has caught the eyes is how he uses both feet with ease during training. It has also made him unpredictable when in possession. Plays with a freedom that is unusual and will no doubt start at right back.

Former Nigeria international forward Victor Anichebe want the coach of the senior national team of Nigeria Gernot Rohr to consider handing the captain arm band to Wilfred Ndidi in the future.

Rohr has confirmed that Ahmed Musa won’t play any role in the Super Eagles upcoming AFCON 2022 qualifiers against Benin Republic and Lesotho respectively meaning William Troost Ekong will be captain of the team.

Anichebe however believed the coach Ndidi who isn’t among the three captains of the team as named by Gernot Rohr last year because of his on field abilities.

Reacting to a training picture posted by Ndidi on social media portal Instagram, the former Everton forward tagged him as future captain of the team while reacting to his comment “It’s an honor to represent Nigeria”.

“Goodluck my brother! Future captain”, he reacted. His comments was liked by several others but Ndidi’s path to the armband appears a bit bleak with the trio of Ahmed Musa, William Troost Ekong and Leon Balogun ahead of him in the hierarchy of the team.

Former first choice striker of the senior national team of Nigeria Odion Ighalo paid a surprise visit to the team earlier today at their AFCON 2022 training camp.

Olakanlo Tosin who is with the team at their Lagos camp posted a picture of the former Manchester United striker who retired from the team in 2019 after finishing as top scorer at the Africa Cup of Nations.

Although coach of the team Gernot Rohr says he is opened to the idea of having the Al Shabab of Saudi Arabia striker back in the team, his visit to the camp today has nothing to do with a return to the team.

Ighalo had lunch with the team and left few minutes before they head out for their evening training session ahead of the game against Benin Republic on Saturday.

Following his retirement, Victor Osimhen has stepped up to the role of first choice striker of the team and will be saddled with the responsibility of getting the goals on Saturday.

A decision on who will be in goal for Nigeria against Benin Republic is yet to be made according to coach of the team Gernot Rohr.

In the camp of the team for the game, the coach presently has three goalkeepers in John Noble, Francis Uzoho and Maduka Okoye. All three have been working with the goalkeepers coach of the team Alloy Agu.

Rohr who earlier named Okoye as first choice before the list of players was released said it’s now a case of who works the hardest in training as Okoye and Uzoho have both looked good in training.

“ Let us narrow it down to two goalkeepers in Uzoho and Okoye. They are both doing well in training at the moment and we will decide on the eve of the game. The best among both of them will be in goal”, Rohr said during the teams parley with the media.

On Enyimba’a goalkeeper John Noble , Rohr said he will no doubt get his chance if he maintains his current form with the Nigeria flag bearers in the CAF Confederation Cup.

“ It is a process and he will get his chance. We have to introduce him slowly like we did with Uzoho and Okoye. He need to be at the level he was when we picked him with Enyimba to get another chance”.

Rangers of Scotland midfielder Joe Aribo says he is not at the level to be tagged as a replacement for former captain of the Super Eagles Austin Okocha.

The legendary Okocha represented Nigeria from 1993 to 2006 and according to Aribo who only made his national team debut last year its almost impossible for him to be at same level with the former Bolton Wanderers midfielder.

Speaking at the media parley of the Super Eagles held yesterday, the 24 year old Aribo said he is out to make a name for himself with the national team of Nigeria and not replace the mercurial former captain.

“Jay Jay Okocha is legendary, he is a legend. He is amazing,” the 24-year-old Aribo said. “Even if I could fill his shoes in the slightest, I will be happy with that.

“But I wouldn’t say I necessarily feel pressure. I know what the No. 10 shirt means to the nation. But I’ll just say that I just need to be the best that I can be and give the best; what I can do for the team to help the team.

“But in terms of filling the shoes, I can’t fill Jay Jay’s shoes. He’s different level, honestly. He is a legend.”