Ezenwa to man the goal; Iheanacho, Musa start as Eagles battle Bafana

In the absence of Francis Uzoho, Super Eagles coach, Gernot Rohr has picked Ikechukwu Ezenwa as the starting goalkeeper in their match against the Bafana Bafana of South Africa on Saturday.

Uzoho, who has been the team’s first choice goalkeeper, is unavailable for the Africa Cup of Nations qualifier as he has been ruled out by injury.

Ezenwa was named to start the match ahead of Daniel Akpeyi, who manned the goalpost during the reverse fixture in Uyo last year, when the Eagles lost 2-0.

Nigeria had gone on to win their matchdays two, three and four clashes, as they currently sit at the top of Group E.

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Meanwhile, Leicester City star Kelechi Iheanacho and stand-in captain Ahmed Musa will be leading the attack.

Rohr had to switch formation to 3-5-2 following the withdrawals of injured Odion Ighalo, suspended Wilfred Ndidi, injured Shehu Abdullahi.

The starting line up is thus: Ezenwa, kenneth Omeruo, Leon Balogun, William Troost-Ekong, Jamilu Collins, John Ogu, Oghenekaro Etebo, Alex Iwobi, Samuel Kalu, Iheanacho and Musa.

Table–toppers Nigeria need just one point from the encounter inside the FNB Stadium in Soweto, to be sure of a slot at next year’s tournament billed to hold in Cameroon.

The game kicks off by 2:00p.m

 

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