Super Eagles starting XI: Iwobi, Ndidi, Onyemaechi, Chukwueze, Lookman start; Dele-Bashiru, Simon bench 

Nigeria manager Augustine Eguavoen has announced his starting lineup for Saturday's 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying match against the Republic of Benin at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo, allnigeriasoccer.com reports.

The big news is the omission of Napoli loanee Victor Osimhen from the starting lineup following his late arrival to camp and his inactivity for club and country since the end of last season.

Eguavoen has made an interesting decision on the starting goalkeeper, opting for Chippa United glovseman over the in-form Udinese netminder Maduka Okoye.

Nwabali is protected by a back three consisting of William Troost-Ekong, who captains the team for the umpteenth time with Ahmed Musa not available for selection, Semi Ajayi and Calvin Bassey. 

Fulham star Alex Iwobi lines up alongside Leicester City's Wilfred Ndidi in the engine room and they are flanked by Bruno Onyemaechi and Ola Aina.

The Chelsea academy graduate is set to make his first start for the national team since the final of the Africa Cup of Nations, where he played through the pain barrier.

Eguavoen has kept faith with Ademola Lookman despite the fact the forward has not featured for Atalanta since the Super Cup showdown against Real Madrid twenty-four days ago. 

Completing the attack are AC Milan dazzler Samuel Chukwueze and Bayer Leverkusen marksman Victor Boniface. 

Joining Osimhen and Okoye on the substitutes bench are Moses Simon,  Kelechi Iheanacho, Fisayo Dele-Bashiru, Benjamin Tanimu, Amas Obasogie, Olisa Ndah, Raphael Onyedika, Frank Onyeka, Alhassan Yusuf and Taiwo Awoniyi 

Super Eagles starting lineup v Benin's Cheetahs: Nwabali; Troost-Ekong, Ajayi, Bassey; Aina, Onyemaechi, Ndidi, Iwobi, Chukwueze, Lookman, Boniface

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