Eguavoen expected to go for 4-3-3 against Egypt tonight with Iheanacho leading the line

SUPER Eagles head coach Augustine Eguavoen is rumoured to have opted for a 4-3-3- formation in today's African Cup of Nations opener against Egypt  using Leicester City's Kelechi Iheanacho as his targetman in place of the absent Victor Osimhen.

In the standout fixture of Group D, Nigeria and Egypt clash today at the Roumdé Adjia Stadium, Garoua, in their opening match of the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations. Starting at 5pm, the match is one of the games which commentators will use to access who will win Cameroon 2021 as both Nigeria and Egypt are among the favourites alongside Algeria and Senegal.

Nigeria only changed her coaching crew weeks before the start of the competition and then to add to this, the squad  has been depleted through injuries, withdrawals and some players not being released by their clubs. Last month, Mt Eguavoen was named as the interim manager, taking charge of the team for the tournament, after which he will hand over to Portuguese coach Jose Peseiro.

Against Egypt's Pharaohs  managed by former Real Madrid coach Carlos Queiroz, Mr Eguavoen will want the Eagles to stay compact, keep more than an eye on Mohamed Salah, remain robust in midfield, avoid conceding first and be unpredictable and direct in attack. It is believed that he has subsequently gone for a conservative line-up to achieve this.

Expected line-up:

Maduka Okoye

Ola Aina

William Troost-Ekong

Kenneth Omeruo

Zaidu Sanusi

Frank Onyeka

Wilfred Ndidi

Joe Aribo

Chidera Ejuke

Kelechi Iheanacho

Samuel Chukwueze