The Super Eagles of Nigeria will take part at the fourth coming TotalEnergies African Cup of Nations slated to take place in Cameroon next month.
The Eagles are paired with Egypt, Sudan and Guinea-Bissau in group D of the tournament. Interim boss Augustine Eguaveon on Friday morning adjusted his 28-man provisional list having lost some key players due to different reasons.
Emmanuel Dennis has been denied permission to travel by club, Victor Osimhen has tested positive for COVID-19 and Leon Balogun as well as Shehu Abdullahi are out injured.
Hence, Peter Olayinka, Semi Ajayi, Tyronne Ebuehi as well as Henry Onyekuru have all been invited to link up with other memebers of the squad.
Coach Gernot Rohr was crucified by Nigerian supporters for not giving them the good and sexy football Nigeria is known for. Playing a cut and Join game is not part of Nigerian football according a supporter of the Super Eagles.
With the level of players invited by Eguaveon, the eagles, with a good team selection are capable of making a strong statement in Cameroon.
Maduka Okoye has been present in the Eagles goal for some time and he is yet to have a serious worry and should start in goal for the eagles.
Semi Ajayi has been consistent for West Brom in recent years and he should be paid with William Troost-Ekong in the heart of the defence while Ola Aina and Chidozie Awaziem should start as both left and right wing backs respectively.
The most worry for the super eagles is in the midfield as this department is the engine room of every team.
The level of creativity in eagles midfield is questionable as this duty lies on the should of Alex Iwobi who always play as a number 10 for the Eagles.
The Everton midfielder has been dip in goalscoring form having registered just one goal for Everton in 30 appearances. With the addition of Nwakali to the Eagles squad, the Everton man should be relegated to bench.
With a flat three-man midfield, Ndidi, Aribo and Nwakali should anchor the middle of the park with more license to go further forward to the wide players.
Samuel Chukwueze and Henry Onyekuru should be used as wide men and given same role as Salah and Mane of Liverpool as most off the ball work should be done by the three anchor men in midfield.
Up front should be Kelechi Iheanacho as Osimhen is absent.
Taiwo Awuniyi is a good option for the starter but should be an understudy for Iheanacho who is more experienced to lead the line.
The Eagles are well placed for a good outing and only a good selection will help bring the trophy back home.
The pace and precision of the front three who are proven goal scorers especially with Iheanacho and we’ll exposed in two best leagues in the world, the eagles will have no cause to worry should they shoulder the goalscoring duty on them.
