Super Eagles confirmed line-up against Cameroon: Guess who’s back?

Published on 27 Jan 2024 at 20:19 by Emmanuel Ayamga

Photo by Icon Sport

Nigeria’s stand-in captain William Troost-Ekong has passed a late fitness test to make the starting line-up for their round of 16 clash against Cameroon in the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON 2024).

The centre-back is joined in the starting line-up by the returning Alex Iwobi, who was rested in the final group game against Guinea-Bissau.

The Super Eagles are aiming to do better than they did in the last edition of the AFCON in 2021, where they were eliminated at the round of 16 stage.

Jose Peseiro’s side has a more potent attack this time, though, led by the reigning CAF Footballer of the Year, Victor Osimhen.

Photo by Icon Sport

The Super Eagles reached this stage of the tournament after finishing second in Group A, where they beat hosts Ivory Coast and Guinea-Bissau and drew with Equatorial Guinea.

Cameroon, however, needed some bit of luck in their final group game against Gambia.

Rigobert Song’s side looked set to exit the tournament when they were trailing Gambia late in the game. However, they came from behind to record a hard-fought 3-2 victory following two goals in injury time.

Troost-Ekong, Iwobi back for Super Eagles vs Cameroon

Peseiro has opted to stick with the 3-4-3 formation that served him well against Ivory Coast. Stanley Nwabali remains in goal and will be shielded by a three-man defence of Semi Ajayi, William Troost-Ekong and Calvin Bassey.

Ola Aina takes his place at right wing-back, while Zaidu Sanusi is tasked with operating at the opposite end, with Frank Onyeka and Alex Iwobi deployed in the middle of the park for the Super Eagles

The front three is also made up of the usual suspects – Ademola Lookman, Samuel Chukwueze and Victor Osimhen.