Nigeria’s manager Augustine Eguavoen has announced his starting lineup for Saturday’s 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying match against the Republic of Benin at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo.
A notable change in the lineup is the exclusion of Napoli loanee Victor Osimhen, who will not start due to his late arrival to camp and recent inactivity for both club and country. Instead, Eguavoen has made a surprising choice in goal, favoring Chippa United’s goalkeeper Nwabali over Udinese’s in-form Maduka Okoye.
Nwabali will be protected by a back three comprising William Troost-Ekong, who continues as captain in Ahmed Musa’s absence, Semi Ajayi, and Calvin Bassey.
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In midfield, Fulham’s Alex Iwobi partners with Leicester City’s Wilfred Ndidi. They will be supported by wing-backs Bruno Onyemaechi and Ola Aina.
This match will mark Aina’s first start for the national team since the Africa Cup of Nations final, where he played despite injury.
Despite not featuring for Atalanta since the Super Cup against Real Madrid twenty-four days ago, Ademola Lookman retains his spot in the starting XI.
The attack will be led by AC Milan’s Samuel Chukwueze and Bayer Leverkusen’s Victor Boniface.
Osimhen, along with Moses Simon, Kelechi Iheanacho, Fisayo Dele-Bashiru, Benjamin Tanimu, Amas Obasogie, Olisa Ndah, Raphael Onyedika, Frank Onyeka, Alhassan Yusuf, and Taiwo Awoniyi, will be on the substitutes’ bench.
