Super Eagles coach Gernot Rohr has named Everton’s Alex Iwobi and Napoli’s Victor Osimhen in the starting lineup for his side’s final 2021 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Lesotho on Tuesday evening.
The German tactician makes four changes to the Nigerian team that defeated the Benin Republic in Porto Novo three days ago.
In place of Sparta Rotterdam’s Maduka Okoye, Apoel goalkeeper Francis Uzoho makes his first start for the three-time African champions since suffering an injury in the friendly draw against Brazil in 2019.
Fulham’s Ola Aina also makes way for FC Twente’s Tyronne Ebuehi, the only new face in the defensive line that retains the familiar William Troost-Ekong, Leon Balogun, and Zaidu Sanusi.
Galatasaray’s Oghenekaro Etebo also comes in to tuck in beside Leicester City’s Wilfred Ndidi in a tactical switch that sees Rangers Joe Aribo return to the substitute bench.
Samuel Chukwueze retains his spot on the wings as the duo of Kelechi Iheanacho and Osimhen upfront despite missing many chances against the Squirrels last time out.
The most delightful name on the team sheet is Alex Iwobi, who missed Nigeria’s clash against the Benin Republic because of a controversial coronavirus test.
Having been certified clear of any such disease, the former Arsenal man will be looking to net his tenth goal for the Super Eagles in this dead rubber game.
Nigeria have already secured qualification for Cameroon 2022, while Tuesday’s visitors are out of the race to make it to the next edition of the Afcon
The match between Nigeria and Lesotho is scheduled to kick off at 1700 hours at the Teslim Balogun Stadium in Surulere, Lagos.
Nigeria’s Starting XI: Uzoho, Ebuehi, Balogun, Troost-Ekong, Sanusi, Ndidi, Etebo, Iheanacho, Chukwueze, Osimhen, Iwobi
You can follow the game on live-text here on Soccernet.ng.
This post was last modified on March 30, 2021 5:06 pm
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