September 27, (THEWILL) – In a scheduled international friendly at the Olympic Stadium in Oran, the Nigerian senior men’s
national team will later today take on host Algeria.
As THEWILL reported the Super Eagles drew 2-2 with the Algeria B on Friday, with goals from Alex Iwobi and Cyriel Dessers, who both came off the bench to pull Nigeria level.
In that fixture, Watford goalie, Maduka Okoye made a mistake that set up Algeria’s opening goal opening the possibility for Francis Uzoho to start between the sticks for Nigeria. ought to sit this one out. Also, Israel-based Adeleye Adebayo’s performance in the second half did not exactly inspire confidence.
The decision of who will fill in for injured defenders William Troost-Ekong and Leon Balogun is not an easy one. Valentine Ozornwafor of Sochaux played well in the practise match, but it seems like he was played as a stand-in. Coach Jose Peseiro will consider Chidozie Awaziem and Kevin Akpoguma but their defensive chops are questionable.
The most assured of the defense line is Calvin Bassey. However, in that Friday game, he inexplicably handed away the penalty that resulted in Algeria’s second goal. Fortunately, it finished as a draw.
While Kenneth Omeruo has made a full recovery from his injury, Peseiro will still be troubled with selections from those available after the string of injuries he has had to deal with. He will likely favour Leganes’ Omeruo and Ajax’s Bassey to man the backline.
Torino’s Ola Aina has the right-back slot nailed down, with either Awaziem or Akpoguma can offer cover from the bench. The competition at left-back between Porto’s Sanusi and Bassey is stiffer, though. But with Bassey slotting in at centre-half, Sanusi gets to start at full-back.
In midfield, Everton’s Alex Iwobi was Nigeria’s best player against Algeria’s home-based side despite playing only the second half, enough to elevate him into the starting lineup in Oran.
Raphael Onyedika of Club Brugge impressed on his unofficial international debut, and in Wilfred Ndidi’s absence, he is anticipated to start ahead of Frank Onyeka in the defensive midfield position. In the top five leagues in Europe, Simon of Nantes is perhaps Nigeria’s most effective winger. Ademola Lookman of Atlanta also presents Peseiro options in his favourite left-wing position.
Additionally, there are competent substitutes in Chidera Ejuke of Hertha Berlin and Saviour Godwin of Casa Pia, who particularly impressed during a cameo appearance on Friday.
Leicester City’s Kelechi Iheanacho registered a wonderful assist for Dessers’ goal, giving Peseiro a reason to want to start those two strikers immediately on Tuesday. However, so far this season, Terem Moffi has been Nigeria’s most productive goal scorer. In the French Ligue 1, only Neymar and Mbappe have scored more goals than the Lorient forward.
Although both players are primarily left-footers, an Iheanacho-Moffi pairing could be problematic for Algeria’s defence. If extra firepower is required against the Desert Foxes, Taiwo Awoniyi of Nottingham Forest will be a good alternative from the bench.
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
