Eagles face strikers’crisis in opening game against E’Guinea

Peseiro Adjusts Team’s Formation

Super Eagles Coach, Jose Peseiro, may have been forced to adjust the team’s formation for today’s first group game of the Africa Cup of Nations against Equatorial Guinea following the ‘shortage’ of strikers available for selection. Napoli striker, Victor Osimhen is the only one available.

The Guardian learnt that the changes became necessary owing to injuries picked up by some key players and the late arrival of Kelechi Iheanacho. Sadiq Umar and Victor Boniface are out of the first game. Umar and Boniface were replaced by the duo of Paul Onuachu and Terem Moffi due to injury. However, the late call-ups are unlikely to make it on time for the opening game.
 
Also, Iheanacho, who is recovering from a knock, was expected to fly in from the United Kingdom yesterday (Saturday). According to NAN, Osimhen was kept aside from all physical contact during their training on Friday, a precautionary move as the only fit striker in the tem. He was also instructed to avoid going into any tackle or aggressive contact in the team’s remaining training sessions ahead of today’s game.
 
Team Captain, Ahmed Musa, was deployed to the role of a backup striker. Initially picked to play in his natural role as a winger, Musa is now expected to go into the first game as the deputy striker this afternoon in the absence of Moffi, Iheanacho and Onuachu.

Nigeria, three-time African champions, will begin the quest for a fourth title today against Equatorial Guinea, before facing Cote d’Ivoire on January 18. The team’s last group game is against Guinea-Bissau on January 22.

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