Despite struggles in recent games with the 4-3-3 formation, Super Eagles Coach Gernot Rohr has named his long-awaited first starting line-up for the 2018 World Cup with no major surprises in his ‘default’ formation.
In goal, Francis Uzoho is in on the verge of history as the youngest ever goalkeeper to play for Nigeria in a World Cup match. Shehu Abdullahi is fit to start after concerns about his availability coming off the just concluded Ramadan fast. Brian Idowu starts at left back, while William Ekong pairs Leon Balogun in the centre. Balogun passed a late fitness test to make the starting XI.
Captain John Mikel Obi and Wilfred Ndidi are joined in midfield by Oghenekaro Etebo, while Odion Ighalo, Alex Iwobi and Victor Moses start in attack.