Super Eagles head coach Éric Chelle has made three changes to his starting lineup for tonight’s 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying Matchday 2 clash against Guinea-Bissau.
Stanley Nwabali retains his place in goal following his impressive performance in Nigeria’s 2-1 victory over Madagascar.
In defence, Bright Osayi-Samuel replaces Ola Aina at right-back, while Semi Ajayi, Calvin Bassey and Bruno Onyemaechi retain their places in the starting XI.
Captain Wilfred Ndidi, Frank Onyeka and Alex Iwobi will form the midfield trio, with Samuel Chukwueze dropping to the bench.
Taiwo Awoniyi comes into the starting XI in attack, replacing George Ilenikhena, who scored on his Super Eagles debut against Madagascar.
Awoniyi will be joined in attack by Ademola Lookman and Akor Adams as Nigeria look to secure another victory in the qualifying campaign.
Super Eagles X1
Nwabali
Osayi-Samuel, Ajayi , Bassey, Onyemeachi
Ndidi , Onyeka, Iwobi
Lookman, Adams, Awoniyi
2 Comments
Awoniyi was good against Madagascar…He deserves his place in the starting line-up
Good starting line-up. We certainly needed a fitter midfielder like Onyeka in midfield to complement Ndidi and Iwobi, who is poor in defending but very good going forward with his clinical passing range. A midfield trio is the right formation to contain a stronger and more efficient Guinea-Bissau line up than the team the SE faced in Uyo against Madagascar, who breached a thiner SE midfield of two- Ndidi and Iwobi.
My only slight reservation is playing Taiwo Awoniyi, who I still do not trust his attacking and striking prowess, even for his EPL club this season. Why not George Illehekimina- who started and scored the equaliser in the last match against Madagascar in Uyo? He is faster, quicker and more of a presence in the opposition box.