AFCON 2023: Nigeria vs Equatorial Guinea Possible Starting 11

• Nigeria will open their 2023 AFCON with a match against Equatorial Guinea
• The Super Eagles are looking to make a good start to set the tone for the tournament
• Victor Osimhen is expected to start up front while Calvin Bassey could start at the heart of the defence

Nigeria kick off their 2023 Africa Cup of Nations on Sunday evening, January 14 against Equatorial Guinea.

The Super Eagles are under pressure to deliver a good performance following a frustrating tournament in the 2021 edition in Cameroon.

The good news for Nigeria is they have one of the best squads in Ivory Coast, and it is up to them to maximize it.

Jose Peseiro's side are playing in their 20th AFCON tournament and are looking for their 4th title, per CAF. They last won it in 2013 but have struggled to recreate that since.

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Nigeria were hit with injuries to key players like Wilfred Ndidi, in-form Bay7er Leverkusen striker Victor Boniface and Real Sociedad target man Sadiq Umar.

Still, they have Africa's best player in their ranks, Victor Osimhen and other top players in their squad.

Nigeria's probable starting XI

With Maduka Okoye still exiled from the team, Francis Uzoho is expected to start in goal ahead of Stanley Nwabali and Enyimba's Olorunleke Ojo. Peseiro could deploy a 4-3-3, 4-2-3-1, or a flat 4-4-2.

Selecting the defence will be a headache for Peseiro, especially for the centre-backs, who all have a strong case for starting. Semi Ajayi, William Troost-Ekong, Calvin Bassey, and Kenneth Omeruo are all good defenders.

The only issue is Peseiro's thinking and how his starters complement each other. Therefore, Bassey and Ajayi could start at the heart of defence. Bassey could also play as a left-back.

The left and right back positions will also be competitive. Bright Osayi-Samuel could start at right-back while Bruno Onyemaechi at left-back.

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With their midfield lynchpin Ndidi out, the Super Eagles are thin in midfield, per BBC. Francis Onyeka, Joe Aribo and Alex Iwobi should start.

In attack, the choices are simple. Osimhen will be their starting striker, while the wings could be filled by Samuel Chukwueze and Moses Simon or captain Ahmed Musa.

Nigeria probable XI: Uzoho, Osayi-Samuel, Ajayi, Bassey, Onyemaechi; Aribo, Onyeka, Iwobi; Simon/Musa, Osimhen, Chukwueze.

Nigeria with the most to prove at AFCON

Sports Brief earlier reported on Nigeria making the list of African national teams with the most to prove in the Africa Cup of Nations.

Despite having some of the best African talent over the years, the Super Eagles have struggled to make a mark in Africa's biggest football tournament.

Ghana and Morocco are the other teams that will be expected to go all the way since they have produced some of Africa's best players.