Eric Chelle must decide on a replacement for Calvin Bassey as Nigeria take on Egypt in the Africa Cup of Nations third-place play-off.
Bassey is suspended for the game after picking up his second booking of the knockout stage against Morocco as the Super Eagles were beaten on penalties in the semi-final.
The Fulham defender was, perhaps very harshly, shown a yellow card in the first half on Wednesday night for being adjudged to have fouled Brahim Diaz.
As a result, Bassey must serve a one-game ban, meaning he will have to watch on from the sidelines as his team-mates aim to clinch third-place at AFCON 2025.
Chidozie Awaziem is the most likely option to fill in for Bassey against Egypt, with this being the change at half time of the final group game against Uganda.
Elsewhere, Victor Osimhen is a doubt after sustaining an ankle injury during the loss to Morocco which forced him to be substituted in extra-time, shortly before the penalty shootout.
“So since the beginning of this Africa Cup of Nations, every day at every training session we have done penalty sessions and statistically the players who took the penalties were the best, and that’s why we made changes to bring in the players who were going to shoot,” Chelle told reporters when explaining the Osimhen substitution.
“Chukwueze came on to take his penalty and even though he didn’t score.
“So when we saw the match was heading towards penalties, it was when we brought in the players who were shooting the best.
“Victor had a small injury to his ankle and that’s why we brought in Paul, who statistically was one of the best shooters of this period.”
If Osimhen is ruled out, there is the option of Akor Adams leading the line on his own with Moses Simon and Ademola Lookman operating out wide.
Wilfred Ndidi is available after suspension and should start in a fairly strong Nigeria team. The Super Eagles have never finished fourth at an AFCON, and have the incentive of persevering this record.
Predicted Nigeria XI: Nwabali; Osayi-Samuel, Ajayi, Awaziem, Onyemaechi; Ndidi, Onyeka, Iwobi; Lookman, Adams, Simon.
Injured: Dessers
Doubts: Osimhen, Alebiosu
Suspended: Bassey
Time and date: 4pm GMT on Saturday, January 17, 2026
How to watch: E4
Venue: Stade Mohammed V
