Rohr likely to start with Musa tonight despite him being currently clubless and match rusty

SUPER Eagles head coach Gernot Rohr looks set to hand his skipper Ahmed Musa a starting place in today's African Nations Cup qualifier against Sierra Leone despite the striker currently being clubless and in no physical shape to play international football.

Later this evening, the Eagles will face the Leone Stars of Sierra Leone at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin City, the Edo State capital. With 24 players in camp, Mr Rohr is spoilt for choice but it is expected that in line with his usual practise, he will stick to old and loyal players rather than select his team based on current form.

Mr Rohr said: "What we want to do at first is to find again our quality football as our midfielders are back again. We have Etebo and Aribo, we still have Alex Iwobi so we can play our passes quickly, few touches, with Chukwueze coming in helping and Osimhen in the front.

"We'll see if Musa is able to start or Iheanacho is better. If one of them is not starting, he'll finish it, so, we will have a good collective work to do, good teamwork and we had only one session for everybody to prepare so we have to be concentrated and we have to be in our spirit, big determination and commitment more than ever."

Last month, Musa, 28, left Saudi Pro League side, Al Nassr and he is now hoping to revive his club career in Europe. Turkish giants Galatasaray are said to be interested in strikers' signature but for now, he is said to be a little match rusty but given his closeness with Rohr, Musa may start tonight.

Probable line-up

Maduka Okoye

Kevin Akpoguma

William Troost-Ekong

Leon Balogun

Zaidu Sanusi

Oghenekaro Etebo

Joe Aribo

Alex Iwobi

Samuel Chukwueze

Victor Osimhen

Ahmed Musa