Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle has dropped captain William Troost-Ekong ahead of Saturday’s crucial World Cup qualifier against Rwanda, www.aclsports.com reports.
Troost-Ekong, 32, missed the Eagles European tour in the summer and Chelle has now decided to hand youngster Benjamin Fredrick his first competitive start against Rwanda after having impressed in London and Moscow.
The decision to do without Troost-Ekong in the starting lineup may not be unconnected to his error which led to Zimbabwe’s late equaliser in Nigeria’s last World Cup qualification game played here in Uyo.
Fredrick will partner with Fulham star Calvin Bassey at the heart of the Nigerian defence with Greece based Bruno Onyemaechi also getting the nod to start at left back ahead of Felix Agu who made his debut at the Unity Cup.
Eric Chelle has however opted to start reigning African footballer of the Year Ademola Lookman who has yet to play a game since the end of last term due to his transfer imbroglio with his Italian club Atalanta.
In-form Victor Osimhen who has two goals in his last two games for Galatasaray gets the expected nod upfront with Alex Iwobi and Daddy Moses Simon around the attacking shape of the team.
Kickoff is 5pm Nigerian time.
Nigeria XI vs Rwanda
Nwabali; Aina, Fredrick, Bassey, Onyemaechi; Ndidi; Onyeka, Iwobi, Lookman; Simon, Osimhen.
Fisayo Dairo, reporting from Uyo
