Coach of Nigeria’s Super Eagles, Stephen Keshi has released his starting line up for the crucial 2015 Nations Cup qualifier against Sudan holding in less than an hour time in Abuja.
According to the Eagles’ team list made available to africanFootball.com, Reading midfielder Hope Akpan and China-based striker Aaron Samuel will start for Nigeria against Sudan.
For both players, it will be their full international debuts for Nigeria.
Also, regular fullbacks, Efe Ambrose and Elderson Echiejile have been dropped with Ogenyi Onazi expected to start at right back.
Keshi also picked Turkey-based midfielder Raheem Lawal ahead of Nosa Igiebor, who started the reverse fixture against Sudan in Khartoum at the weekend.
However, CSKA Moscow winger Ahmed Musa, who was a doubt for the important match, has recovered from a knock he picked up in Sudan and will start again for the African champions.
The much criticised Mikel Obi and Emmanuel Emenike maintain their starting shirts in the midfield and attack respectively.
Below is the team expected to start against Sudan:
Vincent Enyeama
Ogenyi Onazi
Juwon Oshaniwa
Kenneth Omeruo
Godfrey Oboabona
Mikel Obi
Raheem Lawal
Hope Akpan
Ahmed Musa
Aaron Samuel
Emmanuel Emenike
Meanwhile, head coach of Sudan national team, Mohamed Abdalla had insisted his team are desperate for a second victory over Keshi’s men in a bid to revive their campaign to reach the finals in Morocco.
He said: “We started the campaign on a wrong note losing 3-0 to South Africa, but this was all because of the impact of coming out of the fasting period for Muslims, which meant that the players were still weak.
“We know what to expect because Nigeria is at the bottom of the table and badly need to get a win. But we shall not give them that room to do what they want to do.”
Sudan will face an uphill task against Nigeria, who seek redemption in their qualifiers for Morocco 2015 to defend their title.
Sudan are third with three points, while Nigeria with a point sit at the base of the Group A table. South Africa and Congo are first and second with seven and six points respectively.
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