Assessing The Latest Nigeria Squad & Predicting The Strongest Super Eagles XI

As the last international break of 2024 prepares to kick off, national teams across the globe are regrouping for important fixtures, from continental qualifiers to friendly matches.

In Africa, attention will turn to teams competing for a place in the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations, with Nigeria’s Super Eagles among those preparing for pivotal Group D clashes in the qualification stage against Benin and Rwanda.

These matches will not only determine whether Nigeria qualify for the upcoming AFCON tournament, though they are certainly in the driving seat to do so with just one point required to advance, but also offer insight into the squad’s forma and tactical direction.

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Who makes the cut, who misses out:

Interim manager Augustine Eguavoen has brought back Umar Sadiq (Real Sociedad) and Gabriel Osho (Auxerre) for the upcoming matches, while Victor Collins (Nasarawa United) has been handed his first call-up.

Semi Ajayi (West Bromwich Albion) misses out from the squad due to injury, and Taiwo Awoniyi (Nottingham Forest) has been dropped in favour of Umar Sadiq.

The squad contains:

Goalkeepers – Stanley Nwabali (Chippa United), Maduka Okoye (Udinese), Amas Obasogie (Fasil Kenema SC)

Defenders – William Troost-Ekong (Al Kholood), Bright Osayi-Samuel (Fenerbahce), Bruno Onyemaechi (Boavista), Gabriel Osho (Auxerre), Calvin Bassey (Fulham), Ola Aina (Nottingham Forest), Victor Collins (Nasarawa United)

Midfielders – Wilfried Ndidi (Leicester City), Raphael Onyedika (Club Brugge), Alhassan Yusuf (New England Revolution), Fisayo Dele-Bashiru (Lazio), Frank Onyeka (Augsburg), Alex Iwobi (Fulham)

Forwards – Samuel Chukwueze (Milan), Victor Osimhen (Galatasaray), Ademola Lookman (Atalanta), Kelechi Iheanacho (Sevilla), Victor Boniface (Bayer Leverkusen), Moses Simon (Nantes), Umar Sadiq (Real Sociedad)

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Predicted XI:

This is an extremely strong Nigeria squad named by Eguavoen, including standout stars such as Lookman, Boniface and Osimhen that you should certainly keep your eye on when Nigeria are playing, with all three sure to have an impact on the results at some point in the two matches.

Based on previous Nigeria matches, as well as including the players returning to the squad, we believe this is the strongest starting XI for the upcoming matches:

(4-2-3-1) Nwabali; Aina, Troost-Ekong, Bassey, Onyemaechi, Ndidi, Onyeka; Simon, Iwobi, Lookman; Osimhen

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Comment below with your XI for the match against Benin!