Super Eagles head coach Gernot Rohr has retained Maduka Okoye, Semi Ajayi, Samuel Chukwueze and Alex Iwobi in his starting line-up for tonight’s friendly against the Carthage Eagles of Tunisia, reports Completesports.com.
Okoye, who plays for Dutch club Sparta Rotterdam was in goal in last Friday’s 1-0 defeat to African champions Algeria.
Hoffenheim of Germany defender Kevin Akpoguma will occupy right-back position. He’s picked ahead of Tyronne Ebuehi who put up a fine performance against Algeria.
Zaidu Sanusi will look to impress once again in his left-back role, while Kenneth Omeruo will pair Leon Balogun in central defence.
Read Also: Iheanacho, Musa To Lead Eagles’ Attack Vs Tunisia As Rohr Targets First Win Of Year
Rohr against all expectations has decided to stick with Ajayi for the defensive- midfield position.
The West Bromwich Albion star struggled in the role against Algeria.
Ajayi will be supported in midfield by Everton’s Alex Iwobi.
Moses Simon will come in for the injured Samuel Kalu on the left-wing, while Samuel Chukwueze will play from the right-wing.
Captain of the team Ahmed Musa will lead the attack, while Kelechi Iheanacho will operate behind him.
40 Comments
Ajayi again,Rohr never leans from his mistake,why not play onyeka there let’s what happens,Tunisia will take there revenge tonight
Rohr sometimes just want to shoot himself in the foot. Why play Akpoguma at RB, he did not look the part in the last game. He looked sorta lost there and disjointed from the team.
Why is Dessers not starting? What is Chukwueze doing in that lineup sef?
Let’s wait and see sha
Dear DTH,
Rohr doesn’t like to “shoot himself in the foot”… It’s just that the man can’t give what he ain’t got.
I really don’t know whether to be happy or sad about this line up today. but I have confidence in rohn. I feel something new await us today
Rohr should cap Dressers, what is he holding him for, Cap this lad, and Akpoguma isn’t a right back, he wasn’t comfortable playing there, atleast put him and rest either Balogun cos we already know Balogun, Rohr cap Dressers, and why is Ola Aina not playing as well? Why?
This line up looks like a 3-4-3.
Okoye
Akpoguma, Omeruo, Balogun
Simon, Ajayi, Iwobi, Sanusi
Chukwueze, Iheanacho, Musa
If it is so, we will give Tunisia a good game.
Hope we see Dessers at some point in this game. I think the boy could spring a pleasant surprise. His playing style looks like a great match for us. Let him have at least 30 mins, so he can be properly assessed.
… I can bet my last gworo Gernot Rohr will not give more than 3minutes to Ejuke today… I thought it was a friendly and we need to experiment as much as available talent in the camp permits… I don’t want to believe it’s panic mode for Rohr already. We have Ola Aina and Ebuehi who did well from the first game… Why play Akpoguma at right back? OK o… We are watching and waiting!
The formation looks like 4141 which I like.
Akpoguma is not a right back, why not aina?
Ejuke should be brought in early so we see what he will offer.
Good lineup, we are winning.
Really!!! We are winning all of a sudden? How can you like the line up?? Lmao!!! How do you know it’s a 4141. Shebi the coach doesn’t have good tactics is mostly your anthem on here?? This is a coach that has tried different formations during the course of his tenure with the SuperEagles. Don’t worry SuperEagles will continue to evolve in our own very eyes over the next two years. Lose or win we stand by the gaffer to lead the SuperEagles to next height. People expecting to win the WorldCup are so laughable. Which WorldCup are they winning?? The AFCON am absolute possibility because we’ve won it before. The most important assignment is qualifying for the WorldCup and present a solid team that will capture the world’s imagination by possibly reaching the Quarterfinals whereby anything is possible. That’s the reality not all this fantasy names being thrown about. The team is already taking shape any new face must show his quality or never get a chance again. Gernot Rohr knows his team friendlies are opportunities to try options and formations which he’s being doing all along so what’s the fuss?? Well occasional times like this are rear so enjoy it while it last Lmao!!’
I would have preferred Kevin Akpoguma to pair up Balogun in CB while Ebuehi and Sanusi play WB. Ajayi in DM again? Are there no better alternatives? He was like a rusted part of a wheel last week, not making smooth transition of play easy. He w2as clearly not used to the roles.
Hopefully Ejuke, Dessers, Ebuehi, Ola Aina, Collins, Onyeka and the 2 other goalkeepers come in at some point. Simon Moses is experienced but has not really be spectacular in SE short for me in the last few games. I think Iheanacho is meh, and only surprises occasionally. Let’s hope he brings his A game to the field today.
I wish the SE good luck, even though – to be honest – this line up does not inspire me. But Rohr obviously knows what he’s doing.
Akpoguma should not play at right back. He should pair balogun. I want to see how he can pair balogun in defence. Aina should play right back if ebuehi is not playing.
Ihrnacho should not start, dessers should or dessers come in later. Ejuke should be capped too. He can come in for simon or chukueze anyway.
Rohr you are making a mistake again with Ajayi at dm. Let’s see onyeka. Let’s see what he can do.
If you don’t cap dessers today I won’t forgive you.
Friendly matches are supposed to achieve a lot of things not just winning alone.
@Christian ministries…I’ll advise you read the headline carefully.
That’s the team list for today.
I don’t understand Rohr at all . What’s wrong with giving Dessers his first cap as a CF and why putting Akpogbuma as a RB instead of centre half. Ejuke is a new guy and sensational at the club side. Why not play him in the wings as a left winger while Chukwueze maintains the right.
Ahmed Musa looks kinda added weight with Iheanacho and yet you put these two guys in the match .
Rohr either doesn’t know what he’s doing . Just like the first two friendly matches, he did a lot of rubbish esp when we had the chance to best Ukraine and Brazil. He has massive resourceful players but doesn’t know how to make use of them. Can this man build a team that can win a nations cup talkless of a world cup? Time will tell.
Not a bad line up in my opinion. Ajayi didn’t do badly in that DM position, he kept things simple and made a lot of vital interceptions. He just needs to work on his distributions. I think Dessers and Ejuke might get their debut in this game. Kelechi though has added some beef, but he hasn’t lost his pace. People talking about his weight should take a look at Lukaku. All he needs is to keep working hard in training and he will be fine. That’s the kind of physic that bullies defenders and today is a very good opportunity for him. Musa’s strength is his pace that hasn’t diminished. He’s got enormous experience at 27 maybe 30 in reality. He’s really a vital cog of this SuperEagles. His pace will open up spaces for the likes of Chukwueze, Iwobi and Iheanacho. A balanced line up if you ask me. Let’s see how they respond today which is really important for the qualifiers ahead particularly the WorldCup qualifiers. #FLY LIKE AN EAGLE INTO THE FUTURE# VAMOS ARRIBA SUPEREAGLES!!
Better ihenacho should operate behind the striker..
But would have love to see ebuehi start anyways
SE should do better today.
Good Team list…
I only wish Dessers starts ahead of iheanacho to see how weak he is at the moment. Training sometimes can be funny, the way Balogun or Omeruo will mark Musa or Onuachu will be different to the way they will want to mark Suarez or Mahrez cos of injury. So if Onuachu scores 100 goals in training doesn’t mean he’ll do the same in the match. Dessers might be struggling in training. Wish i see what he can do against the Tunisians.
WHAT AN “ATTACKING” LINE UP….
OGA ROHR NA FINAL….
I see MUSA as a false 9(the formation we used against “ICELAND” at WC)….
Also, I see ROHR swapping to 3 possible formations from this line up….
(Formation A)…
4-1-4-1
(AKPO.-BALO.-OMERUO-ZAIDU)
(AJAYI)
(SIMON-ALEX-NACHO-CHUKWU.)
(MUSA)
:
(Formation B)….
3-5-2
(AKPO.-BALO.-OMERUO)
(ZAIDU-ALEX-SEMI-NACHO-MOSES)
(MUSA-CHUKWU.)
(here, chukwueze and nacho can swap position)….
(Formation C)….
3-4-2-1
(AKPO.-BALO.-OMERUO)
(ZAIDU-SEMI-ALEX-MOSES)
(MUSA-CHUKWU)
(NACHO)….
IF ANY OF THESE FORMATIONS WORK PERFECTLY, THEN WE’RE ALREADY AFCON WINNER…..
TEAMS IN AFRICA WOULD DEFINITELY STRUGGLE TO COPE WITH ANY OF THESE FORMATIONS IF NDIDI IS USED IN PLACE OF AJAYI…
… @UBFE your suggestions are not bad as in with flexibility, but are you sure Oga Rohr is ready for any flexibility? The Rohr we know likes his rigid defensive method which he has casted in iron already… Let’s pray for flexibility to swap tactics for Rohr… I am not optimistic though!
will comment after d match
I’m done with the people on this forum that knows nothing next to football….
U see 3 CB in a line up and ur common sense cannot tell you that this man will definitely swap to a 3-5-1-1 as the game wears long….
After u pple would come and be argueing football blindly….
LUBBISH….
I like the line up for the March, but I doubt ajayi inclusion in the starting line up,SE good luck
Why still Ajayi in the dm? why can’t you try Mikel Agu? Rohr make sure you win this match or else you will shown exit door. Super Eagles are too big to lose two consecutive matches against North Africans.Try to work on your technical expertise, we have the materials and you invited them all but it seems like you don’t know how to use them to get a comfortable result.Please allow Alex Iwobi to play free role, let ChukwuEze takes his usual rightside position, let Musa operate from left plank and use Cyrill Dessers up front, victory is ours.
@Dani…Mikel Wetin?
Instead of Ajayi why not start Sampson Tijani in that defensive position he will have been a better combination with Iwobi in that midfield. Rroh should learn from Spain who trusted Ansu Fati despite his Young age. Anyway he is the coach and paid for the job. Let him do his job
Town criers will always do their jobs. If Rohr fields the regulars they cry…when he fields fringe players/newcomers and play is disjointed, they still cry. If he maintains a core of the team, they will cry he doesn’t create competition…..if he mixes things up….they will still cry. 2022 is still a long time from now o.
Either stop crying and enjoy the games or turn off your TV till then.
@Drey…Dem go still google map your house and come carry you. Lol
Hahahahaha…..LMAO. No wahala. E be like say dem never loss before….Lol
@ Ayphillydegreat , I cannot agreed less with you particularly, the selected players upfront lead by Musa , I am still of the opinion that Musa is an unappreciated guy that always gives his best in the national colour apart from always rescuing us at crucial stages as he scored two television goals at the last work of which one contested for the goal of the tournament.
My only concern is Ajayi in the unfamiliar DM role and benching of Ola Aina , Aina is one of the skilful players that do add extra fine play into his game which Algeria have in plenty
The way they are GR now was how they were criticizing Westerhof back then.Some people need deliverance from their mindset.
You guys should just chill and lets see how the team would be set up, For those of you saying Akpoguma isnt a Right back, he has played at Right back in all Hoffeiheim’s games this season and he did fairly OK, he can also play at Centre back I know, The team is good, its just a friendly, I know Rohr is trying out new things which is good, Dessers will always come on at a point in the game. All d best to my beloved SE !!!
Thank you God for making us witness today. Super Eagles our darling team, today is your. Go out there and prove yourself.
As I said earlier, I’m not that worried about today’s match because the level of Tunisia is not that high compare to Algerian team. Based on last Afcon.
Hmmm. If I use this my beautiful mouth to woo you Nigerians, you may not like it.
Chai, if I use this my lovely mouth to cut Kola for you may refuse to it but if I it to talk please listen and listen carefully my people.
There’s not, I repeat There’s nothing wrong with our but Oga Rohr should please change his tactics and mindset. That is just it.
After today’s match, NFF have no choice, they have to hire an expert to compliments Mr. Rohr’s efforts. Good luck Super Eagles our pride. Ire o. God bless Nigeria!!!
And that expert could be you bcs u sabi everything about our football ranging from scouting, tactical acumen to how to make our wingers cross balls to our snail striker who has refused to perform. Claps! U try eh. Jisike. Clown.
Hahahaha…..make e continue true true….LMAO. E go tell us who send am message…LMAO
Lol
I dont like questioning the coaches selection. I just hope this tactics pay off or else Rohr should be ready for an avalanche of criticism.
Musa I think shouldn’t be starting games, its been a white since he influenced any game for the Super Eagles.
Akpoguma is a CB and not a RB, why play him in that position when you have 3 other capable Rb on the bench.
Still using Ajayi as your screen, hmm, are you grooming him to be a back up to ndidi, if you are, you have alot of work on your hands.
Its obvious that this selected players are the type that play the ball on the ground, so dont expect much crosses.
Hope we get to see some more new players. Good luck to the team today.
You guys should just chill and lets see how the team would be set up, For those of you saying Akpoguma isnt a Right back, he has played at Right back in all Hoffeiheim’s games this season and he did fairly OK, he can also play at Centre back I know, The team is good, its just a friendly, I know Rohr is trying out new things which is good, Dessers will always come on at a point in the game. All d best to my beloved SE !!!
I think the gaffer is right and sincere to some extents with the player selection. I hope those that have failed to show up when giving the opportunity (Ekong, Onyeka, Kalu, Agu, Onwuachi) are not part of the starting 11 for now.
Judging from the last match, Okoye, Akpo, Balo, Zaddy, Big 17, Chukzy, Semi and Moses performed well. It’s time to see what kind if performance other perceived regulars (Skippo, Nacho, Omeruo) bring to the field.
We already know what Awaziem, Aina, Ebuehi and Collins are capable of. It will be nice to see them again.
Hopefully, others (Alampasu/Yakubu, Samson, Ejike, and Dessers) will be given at least 25 minutes of playing time.
Based on what I have witnessed so far, it makes more sense to give untested players like Olayinka, Dennis, Lookman, Ejaria, and Sodiq, substantial playing time.
I respect Rohr opinion, but as a fan I think putting balogun ahead of awaziem is questionable. if you’re testing players why test player that won’t be probably part of 2022. and ajayi? seriously, onyeka won his team best player and his team won the league why put ajayi ahead of him. and 3-5-2 has always been super eagles best formation especially when the wingers both attack like victor Moses and ebuehi against Iceland.
See them now Tunisia is now not in Algeria level..abeg which number is Tunisia in FIFA ranking?
@Tayo pls; i repeat pls,,,,, don’t follow this pple, they are all swords with two edges….
If they face front they’ll cut,,,, turn and face back, they’ll still cut…
Just allow them to “bla” till 2022….
Nigeria have married OGA ROHR, nothing can change it….
2 years is still far, better start now and hang urself if u are not satisfy with our team and our able coach oga ROHR….
We loose o; Rohr stays…..
We win o; Rohr stays…….
Whether na draw o…..who cares; Rohr stays….
Lest i forget; when u “haters” want to cry pls make the volume loudest….
Tankiu….