Moses, Mikel, Ndidi, Omeruo Start In 3-5-2 Formation As Nigeria Announce Starting XI, Iwobi Bench

Published: June 22, 2018

Allnigeriasoccer.com understands that Super Eagles coach Gernot Rohr has made tactical and personnel changes to his starting lineup for Friday evening's World Cup match against Iceland in Volgograd, starting from 1600 hours.

There are three alterations to the team that were beaten 2-0 by Croatia, with Chelsea defender Kenneth Omeruo, Leicester City strikers Kelechi Iheanacho and Ahmed Musa starting their first games of the tournament.

Arsenal winger Alex Iwobi, former Watford striker Odion Ighalo and Turkish-based right-back Abdullahi Shehu were informed during the team meeting that just ended that they will start on the bench.

Francis Uzoho starts his seventh straight game for the senior national team; William Troost-Ekong and Leon Balogun are part of the three-man central defense.

Victor Moses starts in midfield, as a right wing-back, along with John Obi Mikel, Wilfred Ndidi, Oghenekaro Etebo and Brian Idowu.

Four players in the starting XI in the shape of Omeruo, Mikel, Moses and Musa represented Nigeria at the 2014 World Cup.

Nigeria Starting XI (3-5-2 Formation): Uzoho; Ekong, Balogun, Omeruo; Moses, Mikel, Ndidi, Etebo, Idowu; Iheanacho, Musa.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel