Here Are the 11 Players ‘Starting’ for Super Eagles Against Sierra Leone in AFCON Qualifier

Here Are the 11 Players ‘Starting’ for Super Eagles Against Sierra Leone in AFCON Qualifier

Babajide Orevba
updated at April 12, 2023 at 8:04 PM
In this article:
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Africa
  • Nigeria vs Sierra Leone holds at the Moshood Abiola Stadium in Abuja on Thursday, June 9, and there is so much at stake
  • Having missed out on the 2022 FIFA World Cup, the Super Eagles are now condemned to qualify for the Africa Nations Cup
  • Napoli striker Victor Osimhen is expected to lead the attack for the Super Eagles who will be desperate to get goals

The Super Eagles of Nigeria will file out against the Leone Stars of Sierra Leone on Thursday evening, June 9, at the Moshood Abiola Stadium in Abuja as 2023 AFCON qualifiers begin.

Both nations had appeared at the 2021 edition of the competition earlier this year, and now they begin their journey to qualify for the continental showpiece which holds in Ivory Coast next year.

Having missed out on the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, Nigeria will now ensure they qualify for the Nations Cup.

Super Eagles, Osimhen, Nigeria, Sierra Leone
Nigeria vs Sierra Leone is expected to be a highly-entertaining encounter in Abuja. Photo: Emmanuel Osodi
Source: Original

Both teams are in Group A of the qualifiers alongside, Sao Tome and Principe, as well as Guinea Bissau.

And all is set for the showdown against the Leone Stars with the Super Eagles camp already bubbling as the team trained on the eve of the encounter.

Napoli striker Victor Osimhen is expected to lead the attack for Nigeria alongside impressive forward Sadiq Umar who was in fine form for Almeria at the just concluded season.

Jose Peseiro will likely start Francis Uzoho in goal, with Ajayi, Troost-Ekong, Ola Aina and Calvin Bassey manning the defence.

Moses Simon is projected to start from the left flank, Chukwueze from the right, while in the midfield should be Joe Aribo and Alex Iwobi.

Osimhen and Umar will lead the attack for Nigeria.

Nigeria possible starting lineup (4-4-2):

Uzoho; Aina, Ajayi, Troost-Ekong, Bassey; Chukwueze, Aribo, Simon, Iwobi; Umar, Osimhen.

Ndidi to miss Nigeria vs Sierra Leone

Meanwhile, Super Eagles midfielder, Wilfred Ndidi has decided to spend some time cooling off after a long season with Leicester City in the English Premier League and will miss Nigeria's game against Sierra Leone.

The 25-year-old midfielder has started his vacation and has gone to some remote island where he could be seen having some fun in the sea.

Ndidi who is presently recovering from a knee injury picked up late in the season posted pictures of himself in a boat on his social media page.

Osimhen ranked 7th most valuable player in Italy

Meanwhile, Super Eagles forward, Victor Osimhen has been rated as the 7th most valuable player in the Italian Serie A after his impressive performances for Napoli last season.

The 23-year-old forward scored an impressive 18 goals for Napoli in all competitions despite being sidelined for up to eight weeks with a facial injury.

Osimhen’s transfer market value has now risen to €65million making him one of the most valuable players in the Italian Serie A.

Authors
Babajide Orevba photo
Babajide Orevba
Babajide Orevba is a CAF accredited Nigerian journalist and HOD of the Local Desk with over 10 years of experience in media landscape.He studied NCE Political Science/Social Studies, AOCOED.
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