Super Eagles likely line-up for AFCON 2019 clash against South Africa

Ahead of the game, Super Eagles boss Gernot Rohr has some key decisions to make for his team’s starting XI.

The Super Eagles of Nigeria are set to face Bafana Bafana of South Africa in Matchday Five of the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).

Ahead of the game, Super Eagles boss Gernot Rohr has some key decisions to make for his team’s starting XI.

We predict Super Eagles starting lineup for the game.

Goalkeeping position

 

With Super Eagles first-choice goalkeeper Francis Uzoho missing, Rohr has to make a decision on who will be between the post for his team.

Enyimba goalkeeper Theophilus Afelokhai has been called up to replace Uzoho. He and his club teammate Ikechukwu Ezenwa are battling for the starting berth but the Enyimba players lack enough games compared to Daniel Akpeyi who has played all the games so far this season for Chippa United of South Africa.

In defence

Rohr is without his trusted lieutenant Shehu Abdullahi for the right-back position. Chidozie Awaziem who played as a right-back the last time Abdullahi was not in the squad has not been called up, leaving Ola Aina as the favourite to start in that position.

 

Aina has been impressive for Torino in the Serie A so far this season and it was him who replaced Abdullahi when he got injured against Libya on Matchday Three.

Leon Balogun and William Troost-Ekong are very likely to start as the central defensive pairing. While Rohr is aware of Balogun’s lack of game time at Brighton & Hove so far this season in contrast to Kenneth Omeruo who has impressed at Leganes in recent week, he is expected to go with the familiar pairing of the Oyinbo Wall.

Jamilu Collins has been the starting left-back from the last two games and Rohr seems to be a huge fan of the Paderborn defender.

In central defensive midfielder, regular call-up John Ogu is expected to be given a rare chance to start with Wilfred Ndidi suspended. Oghenekaro Etebo is expected to line-up alongside Ogu to support Alex Iwobi in the number 10 position.

 

Samuel Chukwueze has one of the starting berths in attack after impressing in the two games against Libya with Ahmed Musa and Kelechi Iheanacho spearheading the attack in the absence of Odion Ighalo.

Super Eagles predicted starting XI

Akpeyi, Aina, Balogun, Troost-Ekong, Collins, Ogu, Etebo, Iwobi, Chukwueze, Iheanacho, Musa