Super Eagles strongest possible lineup vs Ecuador, including Arsenal and Chelsea products

Nigeria is set to face Ecuador at the Red Bull Arena stadium in a friendly game on Friday morning in preparation for the upcoming AFCON qualifiers.

New manager Jose Peseiro will be leading his team out for the second time after a loss to Mexico in his first outing.

Ahead of the match between the two football giants, allnigeriasoccer.com has provided the Super Eagles' strongest possible lineup based on a 4-2-3-1/4-4-2 hybrid that can hold their own against the El Tricolor.

Goalkeeper : Francis Uzoho

Putting rumours of a call-up rejection behind with a scintillating performance against Mexico, the most experienced among the goalkeeping options available to Peseiro will most likely be handed the gloves again.

Defenders : Ola Aina, William Troost-Ekong, Semi Ajayi, Calvin Bassey

Chelsea academy product Aina has recovered from a training ground injury and will likely get the nod with his attacking and defending balance being missed against Mexico.

He is very crucial to Nigeria's ability to hold on to the ball and progress into the second phase of play.

Despite Ekong's own goal against El Tri, his experience is still vital in holding things together at the back while former Arsenal youth team skipper Semi Ajayi is instrumental in playing the ball out of the back effectively.

Bassey's performance against Mexico is enough reason to let him have the reins except if something drastic happens. He is in a rich vein of form and Nigeria needs his ability to overlap and underlap.

Defensive Midfield: Joe Aribo and Chiamaka Madu

Lorient midfielder Bonke is currently injured and is likely to be replaced by Madu. His hard-tackling capabilities will complement Aribo's ability to move the ball quickly into the forwards and also make an influence on the attack.

Attacking midfield: Alex Iwobi

The Hale End Academy graduate performed well against Mexico and is likely to get the nod to start in a number 10 role. 

His great combinational play abilities will be instrumental in releasing the strikers and fullbacks.

Attacking midfield : Moses Simon

Simon didn't play well against Mexico but it is worth noting that he was out of position. Simon is a burner and his pace, power, trickery and direct running will serve well. He is also Peseiro's best current option on the wings

Attacking midfield/second striker: Emmanuel Dennis

With the Watford striker being available after an injury with Watford, he is most likely to replace Terem Moffi who was largely anonymous in Peseiro's hybrid striker set-up.

The Watford hitman brings incisive penetration and directness into the attack. His abilities on the ball will be needed to relieve pressure and also mount attacks.

Centre-forward : Cyriel Dessers

Little needs to be said about the Genk striker. He carried his excellent club form into the Mexico game and scored a beautiful goal. He surely has to start against Ecuador.

Nigeria's best starting XI: Uzoho; Aina, Troost-Ekong, Ajayi, Bassey; Aribo, Madu; Iwobi, Dennis, Simon; Dessers.

Sofoluwe Emmanuel

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