Victor Osimhen will lead Nigeria’s attacking lineup as the Super Eagles face Benin Republic in a 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier.
Osimhen missed Nigeria’s last game against Libya following an injury. But at the Stade Felix Houphouet-Boigny in Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire, the AFCON silver-medalist returns to the starting squad.
Sevilla man Kelechi Iheanancho is also back in the starting lineup and will be joined by red-hot Atalanta winger Ademola Lookman in the Super Eagles’ frontline for the encounter with the team managed by former Nigerian coach Gernot Rohr.
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#SuperEagles Team News in
🟢⚪️🪨 Osho debuts in defence
⚡️ Iwobi, Ndidi in the middle
🙌🏽 Osimhen leads attack line #SoarSuperEagles #BENNGA pic.twitter.com/EEMrxCWmYL— 🇳🇬 Super Eagles (@NGSuperEagles) November 14, 2024
Interim coach Austine Eguavoen also handed a debut start to Auxerre defender Gabriel Osho. Bruno Onyeamachi will also start the clash. Stanley Nwabali retains his goalkeeping spot while stand-in captain William Troost-Ekong; Ola Aina, and Calvin Bassey complete the backline for Nigeria.
Fulham’s Alex Iwobi will be the team’s creative force as they file out against the Cheetahs. Regular Wilfred Ndidi is also part of the side’s midfield.
Nigeria have already qualified for the continental football event billed for late 2025 after Rwanda lost to Libya.
Today’s match will start at 8:00 pm (WAT).
The Super Eagles have ten points from four games and will take on Rwanda in Uyo on Monday in the last match of the AFCON 2025 qualification series.
