In a surprising tactical decision, Super Eagles interim coach, Augustine Eguavoen has opted to start Victor Osimhen and Alex Iwobi on the bench for 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, AFCON, qualifying matchday two encounter against Rwanda.
The Super Eagles interim coach will be leaving Osimhen out of the starting line-up for the second consecutive game.
The 25-year-old was also on the bench in the first game of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against the Benin Republic on Saturday.
Osimhen came on later in the game and scored the second goal in a 3-0 win over the Squirrels, coached by Gernot Rohr, former Eagles head coach.
Ademola Lookman, Victor Boniface, and Samuel Chukwueze maintained their position to spearhead the attack.
Lookman, recently nominated for the FIFA Balon d’Or award, scored a brace against the Benin Republic, and he hopes to continue his impeccable form in Kigali.
Eguavoen has opted for Fisayo Dele-Basiru ahead of Alex Iwobi in midfield while the back five of Williams Troost-Ekong, Calvin Bassey, Semi Ajayi, Ola Aina and Bruno Onyemaechi stays the same.
READ ALSO: Super Eagles eye back-to-back wins as they face Rwanda in AFCON qualifier
Stanley Nwabali retains his starting place in goal ahead of revitalised Maduka Okoye.
Nigeria is drawn in Group D alongside Benin, Rwanda and Libya.
Recall that the Eagles of Nigeria defeated Benin Republic 3-0 in their opening 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying fixture at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Uyo, on Saturday.
Atalanta winger Ademola Lookman bagged a brace with substitute Victor Osimhen netting the other goal.
The Super Eagles created the better openings but a combination of wasteful finishing and good goalkeeping denied Nigeria.
With time running out in the first half, Lookman produced a moment of magic to give Nigeria the lead.
While Osimhen netted Nigeria’s second 12 minutes from time, Lookman completed his brace on 85 minutes to seal the well-deserved win.
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