Super Eagles head coach Gernot Rohr faces a big selection dilemma for his side’s 2019 Africa Cup of Nations quarterfinal clash against the Bafana Bafana of South Africa
, Completesports.com reports.
For the first time since the start of the competition, Rohr has a full compliment of his 23-man squad to choose from, which makes the task of picking a starting lineup for the Bafana Bafana game a herculean task.
All the 23 players including captain of the side, John Mikel Obi who was earlier ruled of the competition due to the knee injury he picked up in the side’s last group game against Madagascar, took part in Monday’s training session at the Chams Sports Centre, Cairo, few hours after their arrival from Alexandria.
There was also no absentee from the team’s final training session on Tuesday afternoon ahead of Wednesday’s match.
The Eagles’ training session on Tuesday was only opened to media men and the fans for only 15 minutes.
Chippa United goalkeeper seems likely to have kept his position as the first choice goalie, but according to a reliable source close to team, Rohr is virrually having sleepless nights about his choices for the full-back positions.
With regular full-backs, Shehu Abdullahi and Jamilu Collins now fully fit, Rohr will have to decide whether to stick with the duo of Chidozie Awaziem and Ola Aina in those positions.
Aina has started all four Nigeria’s games in the competition so far. He provided a sublime assist for Odion Ighalo’s winner in the first match against Madagascar. Awaziem replaced Abdullahi in the 43rd minute of same game and has kept the position ever since.
In Midfield, Rohr has a choice to make following Mikel’s return to full fitness. The German will have to decide whether to recall the experienced defender or stick with the trio of Wilfred Ndidi, Oghenekaro Etebo and Alex Iwobi in the middle of the pack.
Odion Ighalo look certain to lead the team’s attack, with Ahmed Musa also favoured to occupy one of the three attacking positions.
Picking who will join the duo will not be an easy task for Rohr with Samuel Chukwueze and Henry Onyekuru knocking on the door to start ahead of Ahmed Musa.
By Adeboye Amosu (pix: by Ganiyu Yusu) in Cairo