The coach is the senior national team of Nigeria Gernot Rohr has released his lineup for today’s friendly game against Algeria, Owngoalnigeria.com can exclusively reveal.
As reported earlier the duo of Leon Balogun and William Troost Ekong have been handed another chance to play as a pair in central defence. The pairing the earned them the nickname “Oyibo Wall “
In goal Sparta Rotterdam shot stopper Maduka Okoye was picked to start despite Rohr speaking extensively on the qualities of Matthew Yakubu. Semi Ajayi as reported yesterday will play in the role vacated by the injured Wilfred Ndidi.
Alongside him In is Frank Onyeka who will be behind Alex Iwobi. The Everton man will play as the attacking midfielder of the team with the trio of Samuel Kalu, Samuel Chukwueze and Paul Onuachu leading the team’s chase for goals.
Maduka Okoye
Tyronne Ebuehi
Zaidu Sanusi
Leon Balogun
William Troost Ekong
Alex Iwobi
Frank Onyeka
Semi Ajayi
Samuel Kalu
Samuel Chukwueze
Paul Onuachu
Nigeria vs Algeria international friendly is schedule to kicks off at 8.30pm Austria time (7.30pm Nigeria time), at Worthersee Stadion, Klagenfurt
The contest will act as valuable preparation for both sides as they build towards resuming their qualification campaigns for the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations next month
Match preview
Nigeria have not been in action since a 4-2 win over Lesotho last November, which made it back-to-back victories at the start of their Africa Cup of Nations qualification group. Super Eagles of Nigeria maintain their five-match unbeaten since they lost 2-1 to Algeria at the AFCON 2019 semi-final
Gernot Rohr’s side are currently top of Group L, opening their section with a 2-1 success over Benin before overcoming Lesotho last time out, with Victor Osimhen, Alex Iwobi and Samuel Chukwueze on the scoresheet.
Nigeria will play another friendly against Tunisia on October 13 before resuming their AFCON qualification campaign at home to Sierra Leone on November 8 ahead of the reverse match eight days later.
The Super Eagles will be without the services of Napoli attacker Osimhen for Friday’s contest, but a strong squad still includes the likes of Chukwueze, Iwobi and Kenneth Omeruo.
Rohr’s team lead the head-to-head record over Algeria nine wins to eight, but they have lost their last two encounters with the reigning African champions.
Algeria, as mentioned, triumphed in the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations, beating Nigeria 2-1 in the semi-finals before recording a 1-0 victory over Senegal in the final of the competition.
Like Nigeria, Djamel Belmadi’s side have not been in action since last November due to the coronavirus pandemic, most recently beating Botswana to make it two wins from their two qualification games for the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations, leaving them top of Group H.
The Greens will face Mexico in another friendly on October 13 before resuming their AFCON qualification campaign at home to Zimbabwe on November 8 ahead of the return match eight days later.
There will be a number of familiar faces on display for Algeria in this match, meanwhile, with Manchester City’s Riyad Mahrez, AC Milan’s Ismael Bennacer and Brentford’s Said Benrahma all in the squad.
Nigeria form: DLDWWW
Algeria form: DDWLWW
Team News
Interestingly, there are only two caps between the four goalkeepers named in the Nigeria squad, but Maduka Okoye should earn his second cap for the national team in this match.
Ola Aina, who is currently on loan at Fulham, is also expected to be handed a spot in the XI, while Everton’s Iwobi and Nantes attacker Moses Simon are also likely to be in the starting side.
As mentioned, Osimhen is not in the squad, meaning that Paul Onuachu could join Chukwueze in an attacking spot, although Ahmed Musa is also an option through the middle.
As for Algeria, Bennacer, Mahrez and Benrahma should all be in the starting side, while Montpellier’s Andy Delort is also expected to be handed a spot in the final third of the field.
Sofiane Feghouli and Adlene Guedioura should both feature in the middle of the park, while Real Betis’s Aissa Mandi will be a part of a back four that is also likely to include Borussia Monchengladbach’s Ramy Bensebaini.
Baghdad Bounedjah is the joint-leading goalscorer in the Algeria squad alongside Mahrez with 15 goals, but the 28-year-old is expected to start the international friendly on the bench.
Coach Gernot Rohr also has in his team Captain Ahmed Musa, Alex Iwobi, Samuel Chukwueze and Kenneth Omeruo, but he has to do without electrifying forward Victor Osimhen and midfield lynchpin Wilfred Ndidi. New birds Frank Onyeka and Chidera Ejuke, and former U17 captain Samson Tijani have the opportunity to impress.
Friday’s game, like Tuesday’s, will kick off at 8.30pm Austria time (7.30pm Nigeria time).
Okoye; Awaziem, Omeruo, Ekong, Aina; Agu, Onyeka, Iwobi; Simon, Onuachu, Chukwueze
Algeria possible starting lineup:
M’Bolhi; Zaffane, Mandi, Tahrat, Bensebaini; Feghouli, Guedioura, Bennacar; Mahrez, Delort, Benrahma