The Super Eagles of Nigeria will face the Bafana Bafana of South Africa during the June International break as they look to gain ground in qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Soccernet.ng reports.
Finidi George was on the touchline as he heralded the Super Eagles to a 2-1 win over Ghana whilst being an interim manager.
The former Enyimba International Coach has now been appointed to head the team permanently, with a place in the 2026 FIFA World Cup as the main goal.
The Nigerian football fans will be hoping that their key players will be available and injury-free to put the team in the best condition to emerge victorious over Hugo Broos' men. Soccernet.ng predicts the Super Eagles’ lineup ahead of their FIFA World Cup qualifying clash against South Africa.
Goalkeeper: Without a doubt, Stanley Nwabali should remain in goal. The Chippa United goalkeeper has been impressive in the South African league, saving two penalties and keeping several clean sheets. While Maduka Okoye has been in good form with Udinese, Nwabali gets a nod ahead of the former Sparta Rotterdam goalkeeper.
Defenders: William Troost-Ekong has returned to training with PAOK and should be back to full fitness before June 5th. Calvin Bassey and Benjamin Tanimu should partner the Super Eagles captain on the left and right side of the defence respectively. Tanimu gets the nod ahead of Semi Ajayi due to his composure on the ball.
Ola Aina's return to full fitness means Bright Osayi-Samuel will have to take on a bench role, while Bruno Onyemaechi takes the left wing-back role.
Midfielders: Wilfred Ndidi gets the defensive midfield role, while in-form Club Brugge man, Raphael Onyedika partners the Leicester City man, forming the midfield pivot, while Alex Iwobi plays ahead of the duo in a more attacking role.
Forwards: The combination of Cyriel Dessers and Kelechi Iheanacho caused problems for Ghana’s defence last time out. However, with Iheanacho's drop-off into the number ten role, he would be the perfect partner for Victor Osimhen when Nigeria face South Africa
The line-up in full: Stanley Nwabali; Ola Aina, Benjamin Tanimu, William Troost-Ekong, Calvin Bassey, Bruno Onyemaechi; Wilfred Ndidi, Raphael Onyedika; Alex Iwobi; Kelechi Iheanacho, Victor Osimhen.
N.B: We want to know your thoughts. Do you have a different lineup in mind? Let us know in the comments.
1-MADUKA OKOYE
2-OLA AINA
3-CALVIN BASSEY
4-WILFRED NDIDI
5-TROOST EKONG
6-GABRIEL OSHO
7-ADEMOLA LOOKMAN
8-RAPHAEL ONYEDIKA
9-VICTOR OSIMHEN
10-ALEX IWOBI
11-VICTOR BONIFACE
4-3-3 Formation:
GOALKEEPER
1: GK: Maduka Okoye
DEFENDERS
2. RB: Ola Aina
3. LB: Calvin Bassey
4. CB: Troost Ekong/Gabriel Osho
5. CB: Tosin Adarabioyo/Semi Ajayi
MIDFIELDERS
6. DM: Wilfred Ndidi
8. CM: Michael Folorunsho/Joe Aribo/Onyeka
10. AM: Alex Iwobi/Dele-Bashiru
ATTACKERS/FORWARDS
7. LW: Lookman Ademola
11. RW: Nathan Tella
9. CF: Victor Osimhen
Your line up is not bad but where are the inform Europa players painting Europe with goals in the person of Lookman and Boniface ? We must field our strongest team ..But has the list been released yet ?
it is better to ask okocha to come play noba 10 than put iwobi .. there shud be a fearless noba 10 in local league. . a noba 10 that is not afraid of falling, a noba 10 that wil not be afraid of being pulled down , a noba ten that is changes the direction of game in a second. a noba 10 that can hold the ball ,a noba 10 that wil not be thinking of his hair falling….where is Messi in Nigeria league.
SE attacking line should include Boniface
our coach in the person of finidi George should go to the local league and search for a bos to bos midfielder meaning a strong midfielder and blend him instead of Iwobi