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Paul Onuachu will lead Super Eagles’ attack in tonight’s 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier against Bafana Bafana of South Africa.
Head coach Finidi George picked Onuachu ahead of Victor Boniface and Terem Moffi.
Chippa United shot stopper Stanley Nwabali will be in goal.
Bright Osayi-Samuel will operate from the right-back position, while Calvin Bassey will occupy the left-back position.
Read Also:2026 WCQ: Lesotho Beat Zimbabwe To Go Top In Group C
West Bromwich Albion’s Semi Ajayi will pair Benjamin Tanimu in central defence.
Captain Wilfred Ndidi, Alex Iwobi and Fisayo Dele -Bashiru will operate from the midfield.
Kelechi Iheanacho and Ademola Lookman will support Onuachu upfront.
Super Eagles XI vs South Africa: Nwabali-Osayi, Bassey, Ndidi (Captain), Semi Ajayi – Tanimu, Iwobi, Dele-Bashiru – Ademola Lookman, Onuachu, Iheanacho
71 Comments
Wow lets see as it goes
Why Onachu instead of Baniface? Why is Ndidi starting at the center of Defence. This match is not friendly match na. Am scared with this selections.
I pray they prove me wrong.
Why use Ndidi as a Defender? Well we shall see
Where’s my comment
If finidi wins. Perfect. If a draw. Sack him early. I prefer Amunike . If finidi didn’t perform
God forbid Amunike. Na the maga wey go finish the Super Eagles be that
We have been hearing so much about him. So let’s put the argument to bed. Who knows he may be just ok. If not it’s end of discussion. If finidi is choosen. Amunike could also be given a try.
Amunike is not an option please
Using ndidi as a defender when the country has enough natural defender is a sign of a fail coach…WHy do u invite tanimu when u don’t have enough confidence on him…I’m not confidence about finidi.
Have you seen the official list before rubbishing the coach. Na wa for una. Abeg off TV if you can’t stand the coachs line-up
You lot need rethink whatever u read from that owngoal site, they always got it wrong than right, I know I’ve saw it there before hence decided not to read through this post because if you do, you will see that ndidi is pairing Alex and bashiru in the midfield 3 and not playing CD.
Earlier on. Complete sports put ndidi as a defender. They just changed it some minutes ago
Hmmm. Big gamble. Ndidi in central defence. Big gamble. I hope he knows what he is doing.
Onuachu ahead of Boniface. Another hmmm. I hope he knows what he is doing.
This is a 433 formation I believe.
Well I guess and hope his trying to surprise d southafricans. Remember we recently played them and dey have our playing style at d back of der hand. Anyway we pray it doesn’t backfire.
Tbis is selection is somehow o. Hoping for the best. Let’s trust the coach.
He has removed Onyeka for Taminu in defense. So Ndidi plays his normal role.
Tanimu? over Awaziem?
And so what’s the big deal their. Are they not their to compete, and the coach picks the best man. Make una continue to dey believe OWNGOALnigeria with their lies
Why is everything in Nigeria not balance? They should stop playing Iwobi in that role, who be Dele Bashorun? This team is not balance, Iwobi is not defensive, likewise Dele, naa who be the idiot in role of technical director? We are playing South Africa, they play with 2 strikers that attack defenders, why are we not playing basic football, and leave the rubbish of 94 in 94, everybody want to imitate the 94 era, but football has evolved we need to be more tactical in a game like this.
Wetin Iheanacho dey do for wing, he’s too lazy to run as a striker, not to talk in wing.
I don’t think this was the original line-up. Scorenigeria posted it as likely starting 11 before you know it every other media started posting the same line up as actual 11
Wow. Ndidi as a Central Defender? I didn’t see that coming. Awaziem should just quit. Onuachu over Boniface is also a surprise, but I can’t say I am disappointed. Both Paul and Victor have not been prolific in the Super Eagles, and Boniface has been underwhelming since his return from injury.
I hope Fisayo has a good game!
This guy is playing with fire. Why bench Boniface for Onuachu?. When did Ndidi become a Central Defender?. Finidi. Hmmmmmm
Oga off TV if you can’t stand the line-up. Let the coach be. Better still don’t watch the game at all. They will come back and give you the final result
Sharrap! Swegbe, mumu of the highe=st order!
Go and learn English, sawdust! It’s TURN OFF YOUR TV NOT OFF YOUR TV – AND THE GUY MADE A COMMENT ACCORDING TO HOW HE FEELS – IT IS NOT UP TO A RETARD LIKE YOU TO TELL ANYBODY WHAT TO SAY OR THINK OR DO! PLANK!
weeere dey comment.No be pidgin i dey speak, abeg go sleep, hater
Retarded parasite! hehehe
South Africa doesn’t know anything about this line up
FINIDI if you like use ADEMOLA LOOKMAN as CB or RB or DM…. We don’t care, we need 3 points ASAP.
See you after the match
Well, this is audacious! It better favour you.
Who told you that Ndidi is playing defense
This is exactly what I was saying earlier – this Finidi guy is a problem, let’s pray that this team can somehow see us through but then if they do, this ogogoro guy will think that he can continue picking a messed up team like this, chaii! See wahala o!
Ehn, you don dey shoot yerself in the foot before game even begin – you are starting with an immediate short-3!! Haba!!
Iheanacho wey never see game this year and last – if you see the guys wey dey bench am for lester ehn, Southgate does not even know that those guys exist let alone call them up and then to add insult to injury, start them??
And here we are this Finidi guy is starting with Iheanacho and Iwobi and Onuachu ke??, Ha! see surutu o!
It’s like he is working against Nigeria already!
If I were NFF, I would sack this Finidi immediately! He is completely out of his depth! He wants to make it as easy as possible for SA to cause an upset! This guy cannot be trusted o! Don’t say I didn’t warn you all!
Jesus help us oo!
@Field Marshall, Brosss I tire o! this is unbelievable This Finidi feels Onuachu can Do what Osimhen was doing for Us In AFCON ooooo,, Chai you don see am instead of thinking of a deadlier formation and Players thisis what he came up with, Leaving, Boniface, Onyeka, Onyedika Moffi, Chukwueze on the bench I mean the coach cannot tell me that Operating in Ligue 1 in France is not higher than Turkish League and Moffi is doing great. talkless of Boniface. I Finidi okay. I am worried oo
Iwunze –
My guy – I nor fit shout again…I don yan say na only Almighty God go help us with this clueless guy at the helm!
Where is Lookman? Hat trick scorer in European final of elite players??
And this clown is foisting Iheanacho and Onuachu plus Iwobi on us to prosecute a game against a team of very fast runners with low centre of gravity?? I mean the guy is acting like someone with no sense at all my broda chaii!
No bros na dash him won dash SA game. The Thing no make sense atol, I don tire. I just day balance. Even to watch match sef no gree me. I never know how I go take do am, Finidi ehhn inshort bros as you said and I am 100% onboard if we win Because of this Line up and the last one against mali We Must Pushuu this guy Finidi walahi.
Field Marshal, Southgate called Luke Shaw who has not played in a longtime for your correction. Its all about what suits the pattern of the coach and who a coach believes will do the job for him. Lets not criticize everything too much and let the coach do his job.
My guy calm down – go and watch Luke Shaw’s game even when he’s been out for 2 years and come and say this thing you said again – you want to be comparing Luke Shaw with Onuachu and Iheanacho and co? Even on his worst day, Shaw is a machine! Quote me on that my guy and watch to see if Southgate starts Shaw in his first 11 even having said all that.
I repeat we must pray o!
Let’s all calm down and see how 1st half goes, make we no sack d coach self b4 kick off. We go win today by his grace. We are all nervous but God go help us
Nna na to get down on our knees and start praying oo!
Ndidi is not playing defence naa…why all this noise? Make una allow the coach be
Laughable to say the least. Doesn’t matter the outcome, this lineup is crap. Iheanacho, a bench warmer in second division starting as a Winger?? IWOBI who came to camp late benching ONYEKA and ONYEDIKA? Tanimu in Tanzania over AWAZIEM?
I guess the coach reward senior man for been one of the first players to report to camp plus we all know kelechi been on bench for Leicester does not mean the guy the coach prefer ahead of him is better, it’s simply a punishment for going against the coach by asking him to withdraw from last AFCON.
Kelechi on SE jersey is a diff. Man, dnt know why you all condemning the coach decision.
If Finidi can go into the half-time break with this line up without being on the losing end, I’l get his portrait and hang it in my living room till the end of this year.
That guy must be a damn magician.
we all watching ya. Portrait loading
Omo see wahala o! Chaii!
Siddon look mode loading…
Finidi, please shut me up for good today….! Please I beg you in the name of whatever you believe in. Please shove humble pies down my throat today…!
Abeg who get Idaboski phone number here….we need him and his powers today more than ever o.
Need not say anything anymore. No space for a whack portrait after all
We are winning this match. The unknwon factor will give us this match.Chukwueze and Boniface will win this match for us in the second half. I will just keep my fingers crossed.
Hahahaha…unknown factor…?
Even the players are unknown to themselves…LMAOOo
I tire for this your coach o, I dey sudden look mode
Even if Finidi wins this match, I will never believe in him as the gaffer to take us to the dreamland
Field Marshal, Southgate called Luke Shaw who has not played in a longtime for your correction. Its all about what suits the pattern of the coach and who a coach believes will do the job for him. Lets not criticize everything too much and let the coach do his job.
Charles –
– go and watch Luke Shaw’s game even when he’s been out for 2 years and come and say this thing you said again – you want to be comparing Luke Shaw with Onuachu and Iheanacho and co? Even on his worst day, Shaw is a machine! Quote me on that my guy and watch to see if Southgate starts Shaw in his first 11 even having said all that.
I repeat we must pray o!
Nna’s win lose or draw, it is clear Finidi has a very low IQ! Let’s hope it does not cost us the WC ticket!
Whats the low IQ, abeg go sleep, we will wake you after the game.
hehehe yeye dey smell- mumu!
I wish super eagles good-luck.Hopefully,Finidi starts with a win.
It’s not going to be easy,but I hope we get the three points which is what matters in this game.
I believe we have players to come in and make immediate impact should things go wrong in the first half.I also hope Onuachu have a good game otherwise his super eagles career under Finidi will suffer.I also wish Tanimu and Dele-Bashiru well in their first start in an official game for the super eagle’s..
The presence of Onuachu represents a gamble that may work. His height would distract the South African defenders from the other forwards. I’m not sure about Iheanacho, like others I question his lack of recent playing time. The midfield appears light and dele-bashiru would have to bring both an offensive game and a defensive one. On paper, we will be fielding two attacking midfielders.
Defensively, I’m okay, but I feel Finidi missed an opportunity to call Balogun whose experience could make a difference.
I’m okay with Bassey at left-back as he’s capable of providing important crosses. The Tanimu guy will have to show the merit of his selection, as he is going to be part of the centre-back partnership.
It won’t be wrong to assume some level of unholy practices unfolding in this team.
First, the injured players in the team were widely reported by their clubsides. No surprise Chukwueze and Onyeka are not considered fit
Also, the senior bench warmers were very much known.
Starting three undeserving players ahead of more suitable top performers shows the level of how technically bereft ogogoro master is.
Team is all about maintaining balanced structure and you don’t get that with match rusty Kelechi, defensively amateur like Iwobi, and unconvincing Onuachu..
Fingers crossed!!
See ehn, pls be helping me count how many long balls they are sending in to Onuachu and make notes on how many are sticking, also watch Iheanacho closely because I will ask you what his contribution has been at half time, finally and this one I know many of you will try and come for me but I will speak my mind, pls also count how many times Iwobi dispossesses any opponent of the ball..oya let’s go
Shebi they are only 1-nil down abi, but we are at home na and need the win more than them abi I lie?
Onuachu is at least 2 times as tall as even their tallest defender but he is yet to manage to get his head to even one single ball that we have sent into the box, so na wetin dey happen?? and we have sent a few balls already abi na only me dey see all this tings??
See as Ndidi dey walk behind the goalscorer like person wey hin shock absorber don loose pressure. Dis dude always cost us when it matters. I will always choose even half fit Onyeka over him anyday anytime moreover make them tell Iheanancho say if hin big, e big for him pocket. I see us getting atleast a point if finidi can make the right changes on time. Go super eagles, we are all behind
l told you guys Finidi is not good. It is easier for the head of a Carmel to go through the eye of a needle than Finidi Goerge to lead you guys to the promise land. l told you guy so. Forget about this World Cup.
As far as economy of Nigeria is bad whether Nigeria qualifies for world cup or not is none of Nigerians business.
Food on the table for Nigerians first.
Fisayo gooooaaaaaal, dis is what we need as no10
Finidi do not know what he is doing. He is a rookie. Nigeria cannot win any match under this rookie. Where is omo9ja who is always shouting his head off about home coach from the village?
My broda, the kind hatred u have for Finidi nah advance level, chill 9ja is winning this match.
You are very myopic sha! Imagine a man wishing for his team to win a crucial match to qualify for the world cup and he is reasoning on his own level but you are here telling him that he has HATRED for the coach – mehn only God can help you guys – I don’t even think you know the real meaning Hatred that you are accusing an innocent supporter of! SMH
@Field Marshal, I will will ignore as if I do not see your insult. We played South Africa at Afcon wishing the match to end because almost all Nigerian almost had HBP, they played us from start to finished and they almost scored us at die minutes and I remember some Nigerians died of heart failure. This same Bafana team held Algeria to draw in match, so you think South Africa is walk away team? If you understand football and watch this match without sentiment, you will see Super Eagles of today played far better than the Super Eagles of AFCON. Ofcourse Finidi made some gaffes and did well to make quick tactical changes. I will not rate Finidi bad because of today’s match. In my opinion, he did fairly.
I’m not a fan of Finidi but I think this is one of the best attacking football we have seen in a long time. I believe with time Finidi will get it right.
If Moffi was a woman, i swear he will miss her period. He gave us Yakubu Aiyegbeni vibes tonight.
Can we say Nigeria is unfortunate to have Onuachu as a Nigerian? I will always say it, he has no business in super eagles even if he paint Europe with goals.
I’m opinionated Benjamin Taminu has played fairly since debut match. He is reliable defensively, he will improve offensively with time.