Manager Gernot Rohr has announced his starting lineup for the match all Nigerians have been waiting for, a 2022 World Cup qualifier against Cape Verde at the Teslim Balogun Stadium on Tuesday evening.
The Franco-German football manager has made just one change to the team that defeated Liberia 2-0 three days ago, bringing in former Manchester United striker Odion Ighalo, a decision that sees Kelechi Iheanacho drop to the bench.
Rohr confirmed at the pre-match press conference that Ighalo was to be included in the matchday 23 and he has gone a step further by naming the Al-Shabab star in his starting XI.
The last time Ighalo started a game for the national team was 853 days ago, in a third place playoff against Tunisia at the Africa Cup of Nations on July 17, 2019, before calling time on his international career.
Watford-bound goalkeeper Maduka Okoye starts in goal while Chidozie Awaziem has kept his place among the central defenders alongside William Troost-Ekong and Leon Balogun.
In midfield, Wilfred Ndidi lines up alongside Joe Aribo and Alex Iwobi, with Moses Simon and Jamilu Collins operating as wing-backs.
Ighalo is partnered in attack by Napoli center forward Victor Osimhem.
Nigeria starting lineup : Okoye; Awaziem, Troost-Ekong, Balogun; Moses Simon, Ndidi, Aribo, Iwobi, Collins; Osimhen, Ighalo
Ifeanyi Emmanuel
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