As being speculated in the media in the past 24 hours, Super Eagles captain John Mikel Obi will start Nigeria’s second group game in the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) against Guinea from the substitute bench while Leon Balogun and Daddy Moses Simon will make their AFCON debuts.
Mikel put up a below par performance in the win over Burundi on Saturday, earning a low score in our Match Rating and has consequently lost his place in the starting lineup for this West African derby. Arsenal star Alex Iwobi is poised to start as a Number 10.
Head coach Gernot Rohr has made five changes in all to the team that won on Saturday. Germany-born centre back Balogun has been picked to start ahead of William Troost-Ekong while Simon has been given the nod over the exuberant Samuel Chukwueze.
Match winner against Burundi Odion Ighalo will start in place of Paul Onuachu while vice captain Ahmed Musa will start for the first time in the tournament. Chidozie Awaziem will continue at right back in the absence of the injured Abdullahi Shehu.
Wednesday’s game will kickoff at 4:30pm local time (3:30pm in Nigeria) at the Alexandria Stadium in Egypt.
Super Eagles lineup vs Guinea
Akpeyi;
Awaziem, Balogun, Omeruo, Ola Aina;
Ndidi, Etebo, Iwobi;
Musa, Simon, Ighalo.
