Permutation: Nigeria's Likeliest Starters At The 2018 World Cup

Published: June 04, 2018

After the rough-and-tumble cracker at Wembley on Saturday evening which threw up bitter-sweet feelings amongst the Nigerian folks, Super Eagles gaffer, Gernot Rohr acted quickly, having seen enough of every of his wards, to name his final list for the World Cup

While Alex Iwobi's performance, Tyronne Ebuehi's showing and a host of others showed succinctly that Rohr still has quality in his ranks, the less said about the dismal displays from a couple of their peers, the better.

With another tune-up game versus Czech Republic still to take in and with Nigeria's squad now fully known, much attentions will now turn to the Super Eagles World Cup opener against Croatia on 16 (12 days from now) bearing in mind that such a game could go a long way to define how well Nigeria fare at the tournament this year.

Judging by what we saw in London this past weekend, we will try to pick out those who might have earned or nailed down a starting berth for themselves with their performances against such top quality opposition like The Three Lions.

Francis Uzoho seems to have been installed as the team's first choice goalkeeper having been picked for the last four games, with Daniel Akpeyi and Ikechukwu Ezenwa firmly behind him in the pecking order.

The team's central defensive pairing of Leon Balogun and William Troost-Ekong has yet to do anything that could raise eyebrows but who flanks them has been another story altogether.

Tyronne Ebuehi made a huge shout for a first team shirt at the expense of Shehu Abdullahi and Rohr still has one more game to observe them in close quarters before making up his mind.

As for Brian Idowu who didn't look entirely convincing yesterday, Elderson Echiejile who is the established starter at left-back for the team continue to wait in the wings.

It would not be a surprise if the team's vice captain, Ogenyi Onazi drops to the bench following his slap-stick showing versus England, a misdemeanor which show calls for his head are understandable.

At this point, John Ogu or Oghenekaro Etebo seem even more preferable options.

For all the hype, Joel Obi has suddenly become even more undesirable after earning four consecutive run-outs and of course, would not lay a glove on Wilfred Ndidi if the Leicester City youngster gets back to full fitness just before the Croatia game comes around.

Team's skipper, Mikel Obi was the only midfielder in this 23-man squad who came out of yesterday's first half with head held high and is always likely to be selected to try and pick out the attackers.

From there on, the rest of the team largely picks itself — the duo of Victor Moses and Alex Iwobi to run the channels which they did fairly well yesterday. Odion Ighalo is charged with leading the lines.

Super Eagles likely starting XI from England showing :

Francis Uzoho, Leon Balogun, William Troost-Ekong, Tyronne Ebuehi, Brian Idowu, John Ogu, Wilfred Ndidi, Mikel Obi, Victor Moses, Alex Iwobi, Odion Ighalo

Emmanuel Chinaza