Confirmed Nigeria Starting XI: Okoye Cap-tied; Musa Preferred Over Iheanacho; Iwobi No. 10 Role

Nigeria manager Gernot Rohr has announced his starting lineup for the matchday three 2021 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying match against Sierra Leone at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin City, allnigeriasoccer.com reports.

Considering the Super Eagles training sessions and what the German said in his pre-match press conference on Thursday, there are no surprises in the starting XI.

The biggest news is that free agent Ahmed Musa has been preferred over his former Leicester City teammate Kelechi Iheanacho despite doubts about his match fitness leading up to the game.

German-born goalkeeper Maduka Okoye is now cap-tied to Nigeria for life, barring an injury in the warm up, as Rohr has opted to select the Sparta Rotterdam youngster over Daniel Akpeyi and Sebastian Osigwe.

The four-man defence comprises Kevin Akpoguma, who is making his competitive debut, William Troost-Ekong, Leon Balogun and Zaidu Sanusi.

All of Oghenekaro Etebo, Joe Aribo and Alex Iwobi start in midfield with the Everton star handed playmaking duties for the Super Eagles.

Victor Osimhen will lead the line and the Napoli striker is flanked by Samuel Chukwueze and Musa.