Super Eagles starting XI v Equatorial Guinea: Three Chelsea and Arsenal academy products start (full starting XI) 

Allnigeriasoccer.com can exclusively report that Nigeria manager Jose Peseiro has announced his starting lineup for his side's opening game of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations against Equatorial Guinea at the Alassane Ouattara Stadium, Abidjan, 1500 hours kickoff.

The Portuguese football tactician has handed starting berths to three players with Arsenal and Chelsea connections. 

Chelsea's Cobham product Ola Aina has been preferred over Fenerbahce star Bright Osayi-Samuel for the right-back role. 

Former Arsenal U21 skipper Semi Ajayi is partnered in the center of defense by PAOK's William Troost-Ekong, a decision that sees onetime Chelsea's longest Kenneth Omeruo named among the substitutes. 

Arsenal's Hale End Academy product Alex Iwobi will be making his 12th career appearance at the Africa Cup of Nations as he has been named in the starting lineup as an offensive midfielder. 

Iwobi was part of the Super Eagles squad to the 2019 and 2021 Africa Cup of Nations held in Egypt and Cameroon respectively. 

Regarding the other starters, former Everton man Ademola Lookman, Royal Antwerp's Alhassan Yusuf and Chippa United glovesman Stanley Nwabili are making their Africa Cup of Nations debuts. 

Super Eagles starting lineup v Equatorial Guinea: Nwabili; Aina, Troost-Ekong, Semi Ajayi, Zaidu; Onyeka, Yusuf, Iwobi, Lookman, Simon, Osimhen

Ifeanyi Emmanuel

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