Super Eagles starting XI: Okoye, Dele-Bashiru, Iheanacho, Boniface, Simon start; Osho home debut

Nigeria's interim manager Augustine Eguavoen has announced his starting lineup for the Super Eagles final group game in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers, against Rwanda at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium on Monday evening, allnigeriasoccer.com reports. 

Eguavoen was expected to make at least three changes to the side that came from behind to earn a hard-fought 1-1 draw against Benin last Thursday, after three starters Ola Aina, Ademola Lookman and Stanley Nwabali were excused from the dead-rubber match. 

Udinese goalkeeper Maduka Okoye starts in goal, his first appearance for the Super Eagles in 1,030 days.

William Troost-Ekong is set to make his 73rd start for the Super Eagles and he is partnered in central defence by Gabriel Osho, who is making his home debut after a cap-tying appearance against the Cheetahs last Thursday. 

Fenerbahce defender Bright Osayi-Samuel is the man that gets the nod at right-back in the absence of Ola Aina, with Boavista's Bruno Onyemaechi retaining his spot at left-back.

As exclusively reported on Sunday, Fisayo Dele-Bashiru is fit to face the Wasps and the Lazio star starts in a three-man midfield alongside Raphael Onyedika and Alhassan Yusuf. 

The big news for the Super Eagles is that reigning African Footballer of the Year, Victor Osimhen starts on the bench for the third time in four Afcon qualifiers, with Victor Boniface spearheading the attack.

The Bayer Leverkusen marksman is flanked by Moses Simon and Kelechi Iheanacho. 

Super Eagles starting XI: Okoye; Osayi-Samuel, Osho, Troost-Ekong, Onyemaechi; Onyedika, Yusuf, Dele-Bashiru; Iheanacho, Boniface, Moses Simon.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel 

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