Nigeria have named the replacement for Calvin Bassey as they finish their latest Africa Cup of Nations campaign against Egypt today, while Victor Osimhen is doubtful.
Bassey is suspended for the third-place game after picking up his second booking of the knockout stage against Morocco as the Super Eagles were beaten on penalties in the semi-finals.
CLICK HERE TO FOLLOW EGYPT VS NIGERIA LIVE!
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.
Igoh Ogbu gets the nod over Chidozie Awaziem to fill in for Bassey against Egypt, as he partners Semi Ajayi in central defence.
Elsewhere, Victor Osimhen is named on the bench 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,” Nigeria coach Eric Chelle told reporters when explaining the Osimhen substitution.
“[Samuel] 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 [Onuachu], who statistically was one of the best shooters of this period.”
Paul Onuachu comes in for Osimhen to lead the line with Akor Adams, meanwhile, Moses Simon captains the side as Wilfred Ndidi fails to make the matchday squad. The Super Eagles have never finished fourth at an AFCON, and have the incentive of preserving that record.
Confirmed team news
Nigeria XI: Nwabali; Osayi-Samuel, Ajayi, Ogbu, Onyemaechi; Simon, Onyedika, Dele-Bashiru, Chukwueze; Adams, Onuachu.
Substitutes: Uzoho, Sanusi, Lookman, Onyeka, Osimhen, Usman, Obasogie, Iwobi, Awaziem, Ejuke, Lawal, Akinsanmiro, Alebiousu, Nnadi.
