Nigeria vs Sierra Leone : Who is Nigeria's best box-to-box midfield option other than Aribo?

The Super Eagles are set to take on Sierra Leone in their first game of the AFCON 2023 qualifiers at the M.K.O Abiola Stadium today.

With Peseiro still looking to record his first win as Nigeria's head coach, the onus will be on him to make his team take the initiative and try to score goals.

While Peseiro now has much more options to choose from after the arrival of more senior players like Ahmed Musa, Samuel Chukwueze, Victor Osimhen, Leon Balogun among others at the camp, there are still some fitness concerns about certain players which will worry the Portuguese manager.

One of such players is Innocent Bonke and some midfield reshuffling may be required. Joe Aribo may be required to play deeper which means one other midfielder will be required to assume the box to box position.

Allnigeriasoccer.com takes a look at who is the best box to box option other than Aribo.

Alex Iwobi

After a difficult time in the national team at the African Nations cup, the Hale End Academy graduate is already proving himself as Peseiro's creative hub in the team.

He assumed a new deep-lying playmaker role against Ecuador where he performed excellently.

Apart from the fact that Peseiro will be reluctant to change his position, the Everton man lacks the defensive nous to carry out the box to box role effectively.

Frank Onyeka

He has the ability to play as a box to box option but his primary abilities are best suited in a midfield base role. His imposing frame and physical strength are used in duels perfectly.

While his tackling is high-class, he is not as effective when carrying the ball forward

Oghenekaro Etebo
 

The ex-Warri Wolves midfielder has the traits of a traditional box-to-box midfielder. He can tackle, pass, dribble, and has a good nose for goals.

His most important ability is his comfort in tight spaces. Occasional tactical errors do creep into his game but that doesn't take away too much from the 26-year-old's game.

Allnigeriasoccer picks Oghenekaro Etebo as the best box-to-box midfield option after Aribo and wishes the Super Eagles good luck in the game against Sierra Leone.

Sofoluwe Mayowa

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