Musa, Onyekuru Miss Super Eagles’ Starting Line-up

Fatih Karagumruk of Turkey attacker, Ahmed Musa and Olympiakos of Greece winger, Henry Onyekuru both missed out of the Super Eagles’ starting line-up for their last group match at the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations.

Megasportsarena.com reports that, in contrast with great expectations that Musa and Onyekuru could get into the squad due to the dead rubber nature of the encounter with Guinea Bissau on Wednesday, they both missed out.

This is despite the large scale changes that Super Eagles’ interim coach, Augustine Eguavoen made to his starting 11, as a total of eigth players started on Wednesday for the first time at AFCON 2021.

Of the lot, stand-in captain, William Troost-Ekong retained his spot in central defence, Wilfred Onyinyen Ndidi kept his place in midfield and his Liecester City of England teammate, Kelechi Iheanacho also stayed put upfront.

This time, though, Iheanacho, who scored Nigeria’s first goal of this year’s competition in the Eagles’ 1-0 win over Egypt, played just behind Almeria of Spain hitman, Umar Sadiq, who Eguavoen sent on as the top striker, despite complaining about his form as a substitute against Sudan.

The Eagles’ flanks for the mid-week clash with Guinea Bissau had Chidera Ejuke from CSKA Moscow of Russia on the right and Alex Iwobi from Everton of England on the left.

Former Arsenal of England signing, Kelechi Nwakali, who now plays for Huesca of Spain, got his first start alongside Ndidi in midfield, after featuring as a sub versus Egypt and Sudan, while West Bromwich Albion of England versatile defender, Semi Ajayi joined Troost-Ekong in central defence.

The full backs were Jamilu Collins from SC Paderborn of Germany on the left and Tyronne Ebuehi from Venezia of Italy on the right, with Cyprus-based goalkeeper, Francis Odinaka Uzoho manning the posts.