Super Eagles starting XI v CIV: Aina, Zaidu at wingback; Iwobi, Osimhen, Chukwueze in; Iheanacho not in XI

Allnigeriasoccer.com can exclusively report that José Peseiro has released his starting lineup for the Super Eagles' clash with Ivory Coast in the national team's second group game of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.

The Portuguese tactician has made some changes to the team that started against Equatorial Guinea with Calvin Bassey and Samuel Chukwuze being named in the starting XI.

Moses Simon drops to the bench and Alhassan Yusuf misses out due to injury, while Kelechi Iheanacho, as expected, has not been handed a starting berth having recovered from injury. 

Stanley Nwabili keeps his place in goal, Ola Aina has been deployed at right wing-back with Zaidu Sanusi taking up the left wing-back role.

Calvin Bassey joins Willam Troost-Ekong and Semi Ajayi at the centre of defence in what looks like a back three that was tested during the friendly versus Guinea. 

Interestingly, Peseiro didn't name any midfielder to replace the injured Yusuf but has kept fate in Brentford midfielder Frank Onyeka and his Fulham counterpart Alex Iwobi.

Chukwueze replaced Simon in the right flank of the attack and unsurprisingly Ademola Lookman and Victor Osimhen, who scored the Super Eagles' only goal against Equatorial Guinea were also named in the team.

Super Eagles starting lineup versus Ivory Coast (3-4-3 formation) : Nwabili; Troost-Ekong, Ajayi, Bassey; Aina, Onyeka, Iwobi, Zaidu; Chukwueze, Lookman, Osimhen

Abdulkareem Abdulhamid

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