The three-time African champions will take one step closer to qualifying for Qatar with a win over the Lone Stars on Saturday evening
All eyes will be on the Super Eagles when they take on Liberia at the Stade Ibn Batouta, Tangiers in their penultimate group game in the 2022 World Cup qualifiers.
The Super Eagles could seal their spot in the playoff round with a win, although they will need CAR to take something from their game against Cape Verde.
The major headline ahead of the game is the return of Odion Ighalo. The Al-Shabab striker retired from international football almost three years ago, but he is back in the fold.
And ahead of the game, Soccernet predicts Nigeria’s starting lineup.
In goal, Maduka Okoye will retain his place. William Troost-Ekong and Leon Balogun will be the centre backs while Ola Aina and Jamilu Collins should occupy the fullback roles, despite the return of Zaidu Sanusi.
Wilfred Ndidi returns to the midfield after missing the games against the Central African Republic. Joe Aribo was criticised in the first leg against CAR, but he put in a brilliant performance in the second leg and should slot in easily alongside Ndidi.
Alex Iwobi could take up the attacking midfield role, but Iheanacho is more likely to play in that position, just behind the leading striker, Victor Osimhen.
It means Iwobi may have to operate from the wings, with Samuel Chukwueze, back in the squad for the first time since March, taking up the other side of the wing.
Nigeria’s likely XI: Okoye, Aina, Ekong, Balogun, Collins, Ndidi, Aribo, Iheanacho, Iwobi, Chukwueze, Osimhen.
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Good one, but in the attacking midfield, Iheanacho cannot operate there when we have Alex Iwobi, Iheanacho is a supporting stricker and not a midfielder. It will be an error to play Iheanacho in the midfield and allow Iwobi to operate in the wing. Rohr must get his tactics right.
Reserve players in the 1st team .....the mid field is not it .
This should be Nigeria's first eleven.4-4-2 formation. Okoye,
Awaziem,Balogun,Ekong,Collins,
Ndidi,Aribo,Iwobi,Simon
Iheanacho,Osinhem.
If we want to play 4-3-3 formation, it should be thus;Okoye,
Aina,Balogun,Ekong,Collins,
Ndidi Aribo,Iwobi,
Chukwueze,Osinhem,Ejuke.In this case,if we have another better and strong center back,he should be in for Balogun in this formation.
If we want to play 4-2-3-1 formation, it should be thus; Okoye,
Awaziem,Balogun, Ekong, Collins,
Ndidi,Aribo
Chukwueze,Iwobi,Lookman/Simon or Ejuke in the left wing position
Osinhem.
We need other good creative midfielders to compliment Iwobi as he is the only creative midfielder we have now.
Though changes can come among the aforementioned players for a place with strong competition in the team.
May God help Nigeria, Rohr needs to work on his tactics. I don't understand how he plays his players
Fairly good. I think Ighalo, Ejuke and Awaziem should start
Honestly,I don't understand our coach tactics .Although I'm not a qualified coach ,I wonder however why Aina should be drafted to right full back while we have alot of right full backs which are their natural positions.In his club,he plays left full back and he has been consistent ly doing well why this old man keep playing players out of their positions as if we have injuries.For Gods sake playing ejuke in the right wing and chukwueze in the left wing and spear by victor will unsettle any defender in the world why managing players? Honestly ebuhi should be brought back to right back,he playing modern and scientific right back style of modern football ,the same thing to Aina to left full back and not Collins that is still playing 1980,s style of left full back.i just tire for Nigeria,before you know it now,we will land our our selves into permutations.