Nigeria Announce Starting XI Vs Croatia : V. Moses, Iwobi, Mikel Start; Balogun Passes Fitness Test

Published: June 16, 2018

Coach Gernot Rohr has announced the starting lineup for the Super Eagles World Cup opener against Croatia at the Kaliningrad Stadium, Kaliningrad on Saturday, starting from 2000 hours.

As exclusively revealed by allnigeriasoccer.com four days ago, the German football tactician has named the same eleven players to face Croatia, meaning Deportivo de La Coruña netminder Francis Uzoho will be in goal.

It is one hundred percent confirmed that Brighton & Hove newbie Leon Balogun has passed a late fitness test and the update from camp is that he will likely partner William Troost-Ekong in central defense as things stand, Chelsea defender Kenneth Omeruo remains on standby

Bursaspor defender Abdullahi Shehu has been selected ahead of Tyronne Ebuehi at right back, while Brian Idowu takes up the left-back role.

Nigeria will debut in the 2018 World Cup with Oghenkaro Etebo, Wilfred Ndidi and Obi Mikel in midfield.

Birthday boy Odion Ighalo will occupy the central attacking position, flanked by Chelsea star Victor Moses and Arsenal winger Alex Iwobi.

Rohr told reporters at Friday's pre-match press conference that Leicester City's Ahmed Musa will be introduced in the second half.

Nigeria Starting XI : Uzoho; Abdullahi Shehu, Troost-Ekong, Balogun*, Idowu; Etebo, Ndidi, Obi Mikel; Victor Moses, Odion Ighalo, Alex Iwobi

Ifeanyi Emmanuel