Super Eagles caretaker coach Augustine Eguavoen has switched to a 4-3-3 formation for tonight’s 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying matchday three encounter against Libya.
As expected, Chippa United’s Stanley Nwabali will start in goal.
Ola Aina will operate from the right-back position, while Boavista star Bruno Onyemaechi will feature as left-back.
Calvin Bassey will pair captain William Troost-Ekong in central defence with Semi Ajayi dropping to the bench.
Wilfred Ndidi, Frank Onyeka and Alex Iwobi will line-up in midfield.
Bayer Leverkusen striker Victor Boniface, who is yet to open his goal account for the Super Eagles after eight outings will lead the team’s attack.
Ademola Lookman and Moses Simon will support Boniface from the wings.
Super Eagles Starting XI vs Libya
Stanley Nwabali – Calvin Bassey, William Troost-Ekong (Captain), Bruno Onyemaechi, Ola Aina- Wilfred Ndidi, Frank Onyeka, Alex Iwobi – Ademola Lookman, Victor Boniface, Moses Simon
By Adeboye Amosu
8 Comments
This is the only problem I have with Eguavoen like I always say he is the only indigenous coach to select on merit and the best legs but, when it comes to combination substitutions he is poor he reads ges poorly. I know he wants Ndidi to attack with Iwobi and Onyeka defend. So it is not bad it is all action but Bashiru, Ndidi and Iwobi is good. Bashiru always had good situations and he has been involved in many SE goals since Debutising. He should start with Ndidi and Iwobi.
It’s a good line up, Iwobi is the only worry, let’s hope Egu is very quick with the subs if Iwobi carries on in typical fashion of shying away from any tackles whatsoever, because this weakens the team immensely – however, I have more hope due to the presence of Frank “the tank” and Ndidi there as well, they may sufficiently plug any gaps in the middle, thereby leaving “lightweight” Iwobi to make some forward runs and lay on a few passes, if he has it in him, anything different then he must be very quickly hurled off in favour of a more solid presence in the middle. I no fit shout.
Over to you Boni – you really need to pull your finger out and bang some goals today! Or at the very least bang one, all in all, Egu needs to be trigger happy with any subbing that needs doing!
Oya let’s goo!
It’s okay
This is my suggested line up.
Nwabali
Aina, Ekong, Ajayi, Bassey
Bashiru, Onyeka, Ndidi
Iwobi, Boni, Lookman
MY PREFERRED LINE UP ALSO… I’M WORRIED FOR THE BACK LINE…I HOPE HE HAD MAINTAINED THE LAST TWO BACK LINES
Observations:
1. Eguavoen has shown versatility in changing the formation.
2. The re-introduction of Iwobi in the starting 11 suggests need to keep all players on side and satisfied.
3. Boniface handed the greatest opportunity yet to shine in Super Eagles colours.
4. Some would argue that Ajayi is a calmer more composed centre back in lieu of Bassey.
5. Lookman, Ekong, Aina and Onyemaechi are the only sure-banker starting 11 players if they are fit and in piping hot form. Others are bench-able.
Will Eguavoen play balanced, attacking or defensive approach?
Will Boniface (like Paul Onuachu did) fall deep or just station up front?
Onyemaechi a starter up until Zaidu is fit.
This is my preferred formation and team selection. After this match, I will know if the SE can play or not with a back four