Nigeria caretaker coach Samson Siasia has sprung a number of surprises for today’s must-win AFCON qualifier against Egypt by dropping Chelsea loanee Victor Moses to the bench, while starting youngsters Kelechi Iheanacho and Moses Simon.
Victor Moses has been on superb form for both West Ham as well as in Eagles since he last featured for Nigeria at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.
Siasia has instead of banking on the vision and dribble runs of Victor Moses, opted for the speed and directness of Kaduna-born Moses Simon to start against Egypt.
Manchester City starlet Iheanacho will get his first Eagles start.
As expected, Portugal-based Stanley Amuzie will start ahead of Elderson Echiejile of Monaco at leftback and Shehu Abdullahi will start at rightback.
Oghenekaro Etebo is the only player from the domestic league and he will play alongside skipper Mikel Obi in a withdrawn role in midfield.
Nigeria Starting XI against Egypt
Carl Ikeme – Shehu Abdullahi, Stanley Amuzie, Godfrey Oboabona, Efe Ambrose – Mikel Obi (Skipper), Oghenekaro Etebo, Kelechi Iheanacho – Ahmed Musa, Moses Simon, Odion Ighalo
