Nigeria’s head coach Éric Chelle has confirmed a daring starting lineup for the crunch playoff against Gabon at Moulay Hassan Stadium in Rabat, with Galatasaray striker Victor Osimhen spearheading a two‑man front line alongside Akor Adams.
The announcement, made on Thursday, signals a shift in tactics as the Super Eagles chase a spot in the final round of World Cup qualifying.
In a surprise move, captain William Troost‑Ekong has been relegated to the bench, making way for a youthful central‑defence pairing of Benjamin Frederick and Calvin Bassey.
The duo will be supported by full‑backs Zaidu Sanusi and Bright Osayi‑Samuel, while Stanley Nwabali remains the undisputed number one.
Midfield control will come from the steady Wilfred Ndidi alongside creative spark Alex Iwobi, with Samuel Chukwueze and Ademola Lookman tasked to stretch the Gabonese defence from the flanks.
The match, slated for 5 p.m. local time, carries heavy stakes: victory will propel Nigeria into the next round, where they could face either Cameroon or DR Congo before a potential inter‑confederation playoff slot.
Nigeria’s squad has shown confidence after a commanding 4‑0 win over Benin, and Chelle emphasized the need for a “statement performance” to silence doubts and showcase the team’s revival.
Nigeria XI vs Gabon: Stanley Nwabali; Benjamin Frederick, Calvin Bassey, Zaidu Sanusi, Bright Osayi-Samuel; Wilfred Ndidi, Alex Iwobi; Samuel Chukwueze, Ademola Lookman, Akor Adams, Victor Osimhen.
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