Ighalo, Lookman Missing As Osimhen, Iheanacho Named in Super Eagles Starting XI vs Ghana

• Ghana vs Nigeria continues to garner momentum as Victor Osimhen has been named to spearhead the Super Eagles attack
• Following the illness of goalkeeper Maduka Okoye, coach Augustine Eguavoen has opted for Francis Uzoho to man the post
• Also in the starting line-up are Kelechi Iheanacho, Samuel Chukwueze and Moses Simon, while Odion Ighalo will start from the bench

The die is cast as the Super Eagles of Nigeria will file out against the Black Stars of Ghana in a crucial 2022 FIFA World Cup play-off as the first leg takes place at the Baba Yara Stadium in Kumasi.

Hours before the encounter, the Nigerian technical crew released the team’s starting line-up with Napoli striker Victor Osimhen spearheading the attack.

Goalkeeper Maduka was excused from the squad after he tested positive for coronavirus, and now Francis Uzoho will man the post for Nigeria.

Leon Balogun and William Troost-Ekong will be in the heart of the defence and will do everything to stop the Black Stars from navigating into the Nigerian danger area.

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On the left and right back, Ola Aina and Zaidu Sanusi who will take the positions respectively, while Innocent Bonke will be in the heart of the midfield as he replaces injured Wilfred Ndidi.

Also in the middle of the pack will be Joe Aribo who has been impressive this season.

On the left flank is Moses Simon, while Villarreal man Samuel Chukwueze will play from the left-wing upfront.

Kelechi Iheanacho and Victor Osimhen will lead the attack for Nigeria.

Nigeria XI vs. Ghana: Uzoho, Aina, Sanusi, Balogun, Ekong, Bonke, Aribo, Chukwueze, Simon, Iheanacho, Osimhen.

Ghana's vice-president expected at the stadium

Meanwhile, Sports Brief earlier reported that Ghana's vice president Dr Mahamadu Bawumia will grace the Baba Yara Sports Stadium tonight when the Black Stars play host to the Super Eagles of Nigeria in the first leg of the World Cup play-offs.

The Black Stars of Ghana are on a mission to return to the 2022 FIFA World Cup after missing out on the last edition but will have to first upstage sworn rivals Nigeria over two legs to realise this dream.

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The Baba Yara Sports Stadium will host the first instalment of the West African derby, now christened 'Jollof Derby', while the Moshood Abiola National Stadium has been pencilled in to host the reverse tie.