January 11, (THEWILL) – Augustine Eguavoen, Nigeria’s caretaker coach, has named a competitive starting lineup from those available for the TotalEnergies 2021 Africa Cup of Nations’ Group D opener against seven-time champions Egypt at the Roumdé Adjia Stadium in Garoua on Tuesday evening.
The former K.V. Kortrijk fullback has named a lineup that is not dissimilar from the squad he used in training and in the last warm-up game against Coton Sport of Cameroon.
In goal, Maduka Okoye, the Watford-headed goalkeeper, was selected ahead of Francis Uzoho, while Daniel Akpeyi, and John Noble start in front of Okoye for Eguavoen.
As THEWILL reported, right fullback Tyronne Ebuehi arrived late to camp, so Ola Aina, a Chelsea Academy graduate, will make his sixth career start for the Super Eagles at AFCON in his place.
Porto’s Zaidu Sanusi is favoured over latecomer Jamilu Collins at left defender, with William Troost-Ekong and former Chelsea star Kenneth Omeruo hooking up in the centre.
Together with Joe Aribo of Glasgow Rangers, Wilfred Ndidi plays in the holding midfield role while Taiwo Awoniyi, a former Liverpool striker, starts at nine, with Kelechi Iheanacho, Moses Simon, and Samuel Chukwueze as the other offensive possibilities.
The lineup to start against Egypt at 5 pm local time therefore is:
Okoye; Aina, Troost-Ekong, Omeruo, Sanusi; Ndidi, Aribo, Iheanacho; Chukwueze, Awoniyi, Simon
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
