Head coach of the senior national team of Nigeria Jose Peseiro is planning on making some changes to the starting lineup of the senior national team of Nigeria when they begin their campaign in the race to reach the 2026 World Cup, OwnGoalNigeria.com can exclusively reveal.
The coach wants the team to start on a high by getting a commanding win in their first two games of the series against Lesotho and Zimbabwe respectively, hence will make some adjustments to his set up barring a last minute change of plans.
We can exclusively reveal that he has the intention of reinstating Maduka Okoye as first choice ahead of Francis Uzoho, who has been guilty of several high profile errors since reclaiming the first choice spot from Okoye.
Okoye impressed the emergency goalkeeper trainer Nuno Carrapato during the training drills ahead of the test games against Saudi Arabia and Mozambique respectively, but Uzoho kept in both games and unfortunately didn’t cover himself in glory.
Another change that is anticipated is at right back with Ola Aina expected to get the nod ahead of Bright Osayi-Samuel. At left back Bruno Onyemaechi will keep his spot in the absence of Zaidu Sanusi.
In midfield, Raphael Onyedika has won the heart of the technical crew with his performance during the above mentioned test games. He is set to keep his spot with Frank Onyeka with Joe Aribo the one who drops to the bench.
On the left Moses Simon will hold forte with Kelechi Iheanacho handed the role of playing from the right ahead of the duo of Ademola Lookman and newly invited Nathan Tella.
Victor Osimhen misses out due to injuries and his spot as the top striker will he handed to Taiwo Awoniyi with Victor Boniface expected to play alongside him in a two man attack.
Mohammed Mowiz Suleiman
