Confirmed: Nigeria’s starting XI vs Rwanda – Osimhen, Ndidi, Iwobi, Bassey benched

Head coach Augustine Eguavoen has released the starting roster for Nigeria’s final Africa Cup of Nations qualifying game against Rwanda, Soccernet.ng reports.

With the Super Eagles already qualified for the 2025 AFCON in Morocco, coach Eguavoen made seven changes from the lineup that drew 1-1 with Benin Republic in Abidjan on Thursday.

Goalkeeper Maduka Okoye gets the nod in goal, his first appearance for the three-time African champions since the 2021 AFCON in Cameroon. Okoye comes in for Stanley Nwabali whose father died last week.

As expected Ademola Lookman and Ola Aina, having returned to Atalanta and Nottingham Forest respectively, are missing from the starting XI.

Instead, Nantes winger Moses Simon will start on the left flank while Fenerbahce’s Bright Osayi-Samuel slots in at right-back.

Captain William Troost-Ekong and Gabriel Osho are logged in at centre-back as coach Eguavoen reverts to a traditional 4-3-3 formation. Boavista’s Bruno Onyemaechi completes the four-man defence line.

In the middle of the park, it is a new-look setup as Alhassan Yusuf, Raphael Onyedika, and Fisayo Dele-Bashiru take over the baton from Wilfred Ndidi and Alex Iwobi.

Despite scoring a fine header to bag the equaliser for Nigeria against Benin’s Cheetahs four days ago, Victor Osimhen drops to the bench. 

Bayer Leverkusen forward Victor Boniface is the man preferred to lead the attack for the Super Eagles. Boniface is without a goal or an assist during these AFCON qualifiers. 

Sevilla striker Kelechi Iheanacho, despite his underwhelming showing in Abidjan, retains his spot in the starting lineup. 

Nigeria have already qualified for the 2025 AFCON while Rwanda will need to win this match to stand a chance. 

Nigeria’s Starting XI vs Rwanda (4-3-3):

Okoye; Osayi-Samuel, Troost-Ekong, Osho, Onyemaechi; Onyeka, Yusuf, Dele-Bashiru; Simon, Boniface, Iheanacho.