The three-time African champions were second best for a significant portion of their clash with Mexico on Sunday but should put on a better show against La Tricolor on Friday
After losing 2-1 to Mexico’s El Tri in Texas, Nigeria’s Super Eagles make the trip to New Jersey to meet Ecuador’s La Tri at the Red Bull Arena in the early hours of June 3.
It is the first-ever meeting between the two nations, but 30th-ranked Super Eagles hold a slight advantage over the South Americans, who are 16 places below on the FIFA ranking.
The Africans, however, are missing a few key players.
Soccernet.ng‘s Imhons Erons predicts the Super Eagles starting lineup head coach Jose Peseiro could bank on to register his first win in charge of the team.
Goalkeeper: Francis Uzoho
Uzoho was not at fault for any of Mexico’s goals and should keep his place between the goalposts for the fourth consecutive Super Eagles match – a rarity since Watford’s Maduka Okoye sealed his spot as the team’s number one gloves.
Another excellent outing after his brilliant showing last time out should send the right message to Okoye that no one is guaranteed a Super Eagles starting shirt.
Defenders: Ola Aina, William Troost-Ekong, Semi Ajayi, Calvin Bassey
Jose Peseiro switched to a back four in the second half of Sunday’s match and is expected to maintain the set-up on Friday.
Chidozie Awaziem could drop to the bench to allow Troost-Ekong and Ajayi to pair up at the heart of defence to be flanked by Aina and Bassey.
Aina missed the Mexico match due to a knock, but reports suggest he is fit to play again.
Bassey is guaranteed a starting role after his fine display against El Tri; the youngster supplied the assist to Cyriel Dessers’ consolation goal.
Midfielders: Alex Iwobi, Joe Aribo, Moses Simon, Ishaq Rafiu
In the absence of the injured Innocent Bonke, Peseiro could deploy Iwobi and Aribo in central midfield as he looks to impose his passing style on the opponents.
Rivers United forward Ishaq Rafiu impressed on his Super Eagles debut on Sunday, and a spot on the right flank of the starting eleven will not be out of place for the NPFL’s joint top goalscorer.
Nantes’ Moses Simon, on the left-wing, should make for a formidable Nigerian midfield.
Strikers: Cyriel Dessers and Emmanuel Dennis
Lorient’s Terem Moffi fired blanks against Mexico and continues his search for a first Super Eagles goal.
He may, however, have to wait until the second half of the Ecuador match as Peseiro could opt to take a look at Watford’s Emmanuel Dennis from kick-off.
Aside from having a keen eye for goal, Dennis works well with a second striker and could form an exciting partnership with Dessers.
Dessers got his first international goal against Mexico and would aim to register goal number two inside the Red Bull Arena.
Strong, relentless, and functional, the Genk forward should be a handful for La Tricolor’s defenders, and his goals could be the difference between winning and losing on Friday.
Nigeria probable lineup (4-4-2):
Uzoho; Aina, Troost-Ekong, Ajayi, Bassey; Joe Aribo, Alex Iwobi, Ishaq Rafiu, Moses Simon; Emmanuel Dennis, Cyriel Dessers.
