November 14, (THEWILL) – Nigeria’s interim coach, Augustine Eguavoen, has announced his starting lineup for the Super Eagles’ crucial 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying match against Benin’s Cheetahs. The clash will take place at the Felix Houphouet Boigny Stadium in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, on Thursday evening at 8pm.
Chippa United goalkeeper, Stanely Nwabali, retains his position between the sticks, despite being the 22nd player to report for international duty in Ivory Coast. This means that Udinese star, Maduka Okoye and Amas Obasogie, will have to settle for a place on the bench.
The defensive line-up sees Reading Academy product, Gabriel Osho, set to play a cap-tying game for Nigeria, joining William Troost-Ekong and Calvin Bassey in central defence. In the midfield, Leicester City’s Wilfred Ndidi and Fulham’s Alex Iwobi will orchestrate proceedings, with Nottingham Forest’s Ola Aina and Boavista’s Bruno Onyemaechi occupying the wingback roles.
The most notable change comes in the attacking department, as Bayer Leverkusen striker, Victor Boniface, has been dropped from the starting lineup. Eguavoen has decided to go with Galatasaray’s in-form marksman, Victor Osimhen, who will be flanked by Atalanta’s Ademola Lookman and Sevilla’s Kelechi Iheanacho.
The decision to omit Boniface, who has yet to find the back of the net in the AFCON qualifiers, highlights Eguavoen’s emphasis on securing a positive result against Benin. With Osimhen leading the line, the Super Eagles will be hoping to seal a spot at next year’s continental showpiece.
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.
