As the Super Eagles gear up for their AFCON 2023 opener against Equatorial Guinea, the odds that once heavily favoured Nigeria now seem to hang in the balance.
The Alassane Ouattara Stadium in Abidjan will be the battleground for this crucial encounter on Sunday, January 14, as three-time champions Nigeria face a nation making their fourth AFCON appearance.
Despite Nigeria's illustrious history in the tournament, recent events have thrown challenges their way.
Injuries to key players and late withdrawals have disrupted their preparations, leveling the playing field against Equatorial Guinea.
The former champions, led by coach Jose Peseiro, are now tasked with navigating a tricky opening match to secure three crucial points.
Goalkeeper
Francis Uzoho has been Peseiro's number-one goalkeeper since the Portuguese tactician was appointed Nigeria's head coach, and that will not change at the AFCON.
Stanley Nwabili did not particularly cover himself in glory when he conceded twice in the friendly loss to Guinea last week.
Enyimba's Olorunleke Ojo remains without a cap yet for the Super Eagles, and it is unlikely he will earn it in a match as crucial as this.
Defence
In the heart of the defence, Peseiro faces decisions on the central pairing.
The combination of Semi Ajayi and William Troost-Ekong, as well as Semi Ajayi and Calvin Bassey, has been tried. However, the Super Eagles have conceded 21 goals in 15 games under Peseiro's watch.
Troost-Ekong brings experience with his third AFCON appearance, while Ajayi's strength, height, and confidence suit the demands of African football.
Bassey, though, is still learning the ropes of being a central defender.
The Fulham defender remains Nigeria's best left-back, but he has Bruno Onyemaechi and Zaidu Sanusi to contend with in that role.
On the right flank, the battle is between Osayi-Samuel and Ola Aina, with Awaziem providing a less adventurous option.
Midfield
The absence of Ndidi poses a challenge for Nigeria's midfield.
Brentford's Frank Onyeka, an enforcer, may fill the void, while Raphael Onyedika and Alhassan Yusuf present different skill sets.
Peseiro might opt for a midfield pivot with two of these three for solidity.
In the creative hub, Iwobi takes the lead, and the former Everton man can be saddled with the extra responsibility of drifting to the wings when needed.
Nantes winger Moses Simon, Nigeria's number-one standout player in the 2021 AFCON, is set to continue his impactful role on the left wing.
Attack
Nigeria's attack, usually a force to be reckoned with, is in the midst of a terrible crisis.
With injuries ruling out Kelechi Iheanacho, Victor Boniface, and Umar Sadiq, only Osimhen stands as the fit center-forward.
Lookman, versatile and effective at Atalanta, could play a support role.
Ahmed Musa and Samuel Chukwueze are poised to make an impact off the bench.
This is the first encounter between Nigeria and Equatorial Guinea at the AFCON. At the same time, the Super Eagles hold a favourable record in other competitions, with two wins out of two.
Possible Nigeria XI: Uzoho; Osayi-Samuel, Ajayi, Troost-Ekong, Bassey; Onyeka, Alhassan, Iwobi, Simon; Lookman, Osimhen (4-4-2)
How do you think Nigeria should line up against Equatorial Guinea? Let us know your thoughts, predictions, and teams in the comments below!
I Believe that Nigeria National team, with due determination, vasertility, concentrations and commitments, will excel in this AFCON tournament despite various set backs, too much injuries among star players and shudy preparations.
I think there are still options in the team that the coach can make use of in this first game but alas i don’t think he has that depth to take risks which shows what kind of coach he is. He should leave after this afcon irrespective of the outcome of the teams performance. But for the first game, i would prefer a 4-2-3-1 formation with the following players:
. UZOHO
. OSAYI. SEMI. EKONG. BASSEY
. RAPHAEL. FRANK
. ARIBO. IWOBI. LOOKMAN
. OSIMHEN
Nigeria don’t have a coach….This is not a tournament that started today… He kept placing is entire hope on players are plays in Europe league… Imagine a tournament were no strikers or midfielder from Nigeria league .. It was Mba revelation that gave us the cup during keshi and Unknown Amunike that was the joker during westerhof, who is pesiro joker.?. Imagine still naming kelechi in the squad even with injury… instead of sorting for players and discover talents who can take risk… I pity any that put hope in this team .. There is winning attitude and fear in this team…we are still far behind Senegal, Morroco, Algeria and Egypt…
for me Nigeria need Amunike as a coach to build a winning team instead of wasting money with corruption with a clueless foreign coach
Thank you. Please tell Nigerians!!!
you have spoken well
for me:I think Siasia is a much better coach when we look at the credentials.Peseiro is a journeyman,he has nothing tangible to offer the team
Please you guys should allow the coach to do his job, he knows better and those of you clamoring for the coach to include home base players ,I don’t know if you actually have a thought on when last Nigeria qualify for home base nations cup, the last time Nigeria went far for the home base nations cup was when Nigeria got to the final as saliusu Yusuf was the coach and the chan Eagles was disgrace with high goal magin at the final of the chan nations cup final with a low profile coach in saliusu Yusuf, the same thing happen in the WAFU Cup final , Nigeria was humble with high goal margin at the final,the same thing happen in this Olympic men team, 2024 , you guys, fan and ex footballer clamoring for home base inclusion,does that mean you don’t watch home league or you just want to use your mouth to pick players and play matches with out accessment ,I was watching sports news on channel 64 SS , a keeper kept 13 clean sheets out of 17 matches is that the criteria picking players for the national team, do they think nations cup is Nigeria premier league matches, I don’t know how Human being think for GOD SAKE ,,THEY DON’T EVEN THINK ABOUT THE STRENGTH OF THE PLAYER ,TECHNICAL, SPEED,STAMINAL , SKILLS OF THE PLAYER BEFORE JUGEMENT , I’M SO DISAPPOINTED IN SOME COMMENTS RAISE ABOUT THE INVITATION OF HOME BASE, INVITATION SHOULD BE GRADUAL PROCESS, WHAT ABOUT THE HOME BASE KEEPER FROM ENYIMBA , IS HIGH TIME WE START THINKING OF HOW WE ARE GOING TO DEVELOP OUR LEAGUE WITH EXPERT TO PUT OUR LOCAL COASCHES THROUGH WITH THE MODERN TECHNIC OF FOOTBALL , THANKS , KEJIREN GODSPOWER OMOKARO , 07034275380 , [email protected]
Let’s just come home abeg…