Nigeria manager Eric Chelle has gone back to his big guns for tonight’s AFCON last 16 showdown with Mozambique in Fez. With a quarter final place on the line, the Super Eagles are at full strength after resting key men in the group stage.
Chelle’s side had already topped their group before a 3-1 win over Uganda, a game used to keep stars like Stanley Nwabali, Semi Ajayi and Ademola Lookman out of yellow card trouble. Lookman, who scored in the wins over Tanzania and Tunisia, is expected to return at the tip of the midfield diamond.
That means recalls for Fulham’s Alex Iwobi and Wilfred Ndidi in the engine room, while Brentford’s Frank Onyeka has declared himself fit after an ankle issue. Up front, Victor Osimhen who played 87 minutes against Uganda leads the line, with Paul Onuachu pushing for a start after getting on the scoresheet last time out.
But there’s a blow up top: striker Cyriel Dessers, the former Rangers man, has been ruled out for the rest of the tournament with a thigh problem. Blackburn’s Ryan Alebiosu, who made his senior debut last match, suffered a nasty foot cut that needed hospital treatment and is a major doubt.
“We’ve prepared for a tough game,” Chelle said. “Mozambique are organised, they’ve scraped through and will be dangerous. But we has the quality to progress.”
Mozambique lost twice in the group 1-0 to Ivory Coast and 2-1 to Cameroon but, a 3-2 win over Gabon sneaked them into the knockouts. They’ll likely sit deep and look to hit on the break.
For Nigeria, anything less than a deep run here will be seen as a failure. They’re among the favourites for the title and a comfortable win tonight is expected to set up a likely quarter final with Senegal.
Victory would also cement Chelle’s reputation after a smooth group stage, but the loss of Dessers could yet bite if games get tight later on. All eyes on Fez tonight kick off 7pm GMT.
