Coach Manu Garba Makes Five Changes To Starting Lineup

Flying Eagles coach, Manu Garba, has announced his starting lineup for the African Youth Championship clash against Ivory Coast on Saturday evening.

In theory, Nigeria have nothing to lose against the West African opponents, having finished as Group A winners and qualifying for this summer’s Fifa Under 20 World Cup.

Thus, Manu Garba has made five changes to the team that started the opening Group A fixture against Senegal and the last tie with Congo.

Garba has been forced to change his regular goalkeeper Joshua Enaholo after he picked up a red card against Congo, and replacing him is Olorunleke Ojo.

In defense, Abdulganiyu Saheed starts his first game of the tournament and he wiill be assisted at the back by skipper Musa Mohammed, Zaharadeen Bello and Mustapha Abdullahi.

The newcomers in midfield are Obinna Nwobodo and Usman Saleh, and joining both are Akinjide Idowu and Ifeanyi.

Leading goalscorer of the AYC, Taiwo Awoniyi and Christian Pyagbara will lead the charge for goals.

Flying Eagles Lineup
Ojo – Muhammed, Abdullahi, Bello, Saheed – Ifeanyi, Idowu, Saleh, Nwobodo – Pyagbara, Awoniyi