Official: Super Eagles XI vs Guinea-Bissau: Ndidi starts and captains, Awoniyi leads attack

Wilfred Ndidi will captain Nigeria against Guinea-Bissau after all, with the Super Eagles naming a stronger-than-expected XI for Tuesday’s crucial AFCON 2027 qualifier in Bissau, Afrik-Foot reports.

Ndidi starts in a three-man midfield alongside Alex Iwobi and Frank Onyeka, overturning earlier reports that the Besiktas midfielder would drop to the bench and Iwobi would take the armband. Ndidi arrived in camp as Nigeria’s established captain and now leads Eric Chelle’s side into a potentially awkward away assignment.

Stanley Nwabali keeps his position in goal, while Bright Osayi-Samuel gets the nod at right-back ahead of Ola Aina. Semi Ajayi and Calvin Bassey form the centre-back pairing, with Bruno Onyemaechi completing the defence on the left.

Ademola Lookman retains his place in the attack, but Chelle has sprung another surprise by starting Taiwo Awoniyi alongside Akor Adams. The decision leaves George Ilenikhena and Moses Usor on the bench after the two debutants scored in Nigeria’s 2-1 comeback against Madagascar in Uyo.

Ndidi leads as Nigeria’s Super Eagles chase second win

Nigeria arrive in Bissau with three points already secured after Ilenikhena cancelled out Madagascar’s opener before Usor struck the winner in the second half. Guinea-Bissau also opened their campaign with three points, beating Tanzania 2-0 through Franculino Djú and Mama Baldé.

The result gives Tuesday’s contest immediate weight in Group L, where Tanzania’s status as an AFCON 2027 co-host means Nigeria, Guinea-Bissau and Madagascar are effectively battling for the group’s available qualifying place.

Nigeria sit 26th in FIFA’s latest official men’s ranking, while Guinea-Bissau are 132nd, according to FIFA’s last official update on July 20.

The Super Eagles therefore enter the Estádio Nacional 24 de Setembro as the higher-ranked side, but Guinea-Bissau have already shown they can turn home advantage into points.

Official Super Eagles XI: Nwabali; Osayi-Samuel, Ajayi, Bassey, Onyemaechi; Ndidi, Iwobi, Onyeka; Lookman, Awoniyi, Adams.