Nigeria manager Gernot Rohr has rested several players against Madagascar with an eye on the round of 16 clash against the third-placed team in Group A/C/D or the runner up in Group F next weekend.
Of the line-up that started against Guinea on Wednesday, only six players have kept their places in the starting line-up and the big news is the return of influential midfielder John Obi Mikel who started the Africa Cup of Nations opener vs Burundi on June 22.
Goalkeeper Daniel Akpeyi who started the first two AFCON games has been given a rest and Ikechukwu Ezenwa is his replacement in goal.
With fullbacks Abdullahi Shehu and Jamilu Collins unavailable due to fitness concerns, Chelsea Academy product Ola Aina and Porto-owned defender Chidozie Awaziem continue to deputize for the duo, while Troost-Ekong replaces Kenneth Omeruo and the Udinese star is partnered by Leon Balogun in central defence.
The remaining two midfield positions have been taken by John Ogu and Oghenekaro Etebo, meaning Arsenal star Alex Iwobi is on the bench.
Nigeria's leading goalscorer since the appointment of Gernot Rohr as coach, Odion Ighalo leads the attack and the former Watford striker is flanked by Samuel Kalu and Ahmed Musa.
Super Eagles Starting XI : Ezenwa; Aina, Balogun, Ekong, Awaziem; Ogu, Etebo, Mikel; Kalu, Ighalo, Musa
Ifeanyi Emmanuel
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