Coach of the senior national team of Nigeria Gernot Rohr yesterday confirmed that FC Porto leftback Zaidu Sanusi will start ahead of Jamilu Collins for Nigeria against Algeria.
The coach in a virtual press conference yesterday said Sanusi was picked in order to keep the dangerman of Algeria Riyad Mahrez in check later today.
Sanusi who is new to the team impressed the technical crew with his strength, pace and marking abilities during the training sessions of the team, particularly when he was played against Samuel Chukwueze.
Rohr in a bid to see how the left backs in his team will cope against Mahrez who likes to operate from the right tried both players against Chukwueze who is a bit similar to the Manchester City man.
While Zaidu was able to cope to an extent same can’t be said about Collins who appeared to be suffering from his lack of game time at relegated Bundesliga side Paderborn. He hasn’t played a game since the start of the season.
Their performance against Chukwueze was part of the parameters used in picking who will start and Zaidu edged Collins hence got the nod.