Nigeria starting XI : Chelsea product starts; starting debuts for Rangers, Leicester, Watford stars

Published: March 29, 2022

Nigeria's caretaker manager Augustine Eguavoen has announced his starting lineup for the 2022 World Cup playoff against the Black Stars of Ghana at the MKO Abiola Stadium on Tuesday evening, allnigeriasoccer.com can exclusively report.

Eguavoen has made five changes to the side that started in Kumasi, with Zaidu Sanusi, Innocent Bonke, Kelechi Iheanacho, Moses Simon and Samuel Chukwueze making way.

Omonia Nicosia glovesman Francis Uzoho keeps his place in goal, Chelsea academy product Ola Aina continues at right-back ahead of Abdullahi Shehu, Rangers starlet Calvin Bassey makes his starting debut at left-back with Leon Balogun and William Troost-Ekong the two central defenders.

With Lorient ace Innocent Bonke failing a fitness test, Oghenekaro Etebo makes his first start in 298 days for the Super Eagles, and joining him in midfield are Rangers star Joe Aribo and Brentford's Frank Onyeka.

Samuel Chukwueze's absence due to a muscle-related injury has opened the door for Watford's Emmanuel Dennis to make a long awaited starting debut and completing the formidable front three are Victor Osimhen and Ademola Lookman, who makes his first senior start for Nigeria.

Moses Simon is on the bench along with Zaidu Sanusi, Kenneth Omeruo, Odion Ighalo, Umar Sadiq and seven other players.

Nigeria starting lineup : Uzoho, Aina, Troost-Ekong, Balogun, Bassey; Etebo, Onyeka, Aribo; Dennis, Osimhen, Lookman

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