German coach Gernot Rohr kept faith in 19-year-old goalkeeper Francis Uzuho as he named an attacking Nigeria line-up for their Group D opener against Croatia in Kaliningrad on Saturday.
Nigeria’s squad is the youngest at the tournament and the relatively untested Uzuho keeps his place despite a horror show against England in a warm-up game last month.
Though short on years, the Super Eagles also named Premier League regulars Alex Iwobi, Victor Moses and Wilfred Ndidi in their starting eleven.
Croatia enter the tournament with bags of international experience in their squad, and coach Zlatko Dalic named an attacking team containing La Liga stars Luka Modric and Ivan Rakitic, and Mario Mandzukic of Juventus.
Both teams will be looking to take advantage after Group D rivals Argentina and Iceland drew 1-1 in Saransk earlier on Saturday.
Croatia
Danijel Subasic – Sime Vrsaljko, Dejan Lovren, Domagoj Vida, Ivan Strinic – Ivan Rakitic, Luka Modric (capt), Ivan Perisic, Ante Rebic, Andrej Kramaric – Mario Mandzukic
Coach: Zlatko Dalic (CRO)
Nigeria
Francis Uzoho – Shehu Abdullahi, Leon Balogun, William Troost-Ekong, Brian Idowu – Oghenekaro Etebo, John Obi Mikel, Wilfred Ndidi, Victor Moses, Alex Iwobi – Odion Ighalo
Coach: Gernot Rohr (GER)
Referee: Sandro Ricci (BRA)
AFP
