Nigeria v Guinea-Bissau: Super Eagles starting lineup explained

AFCON 2023 Nigeria v Guinea-Bissau: Super Eagles starting lineup explained

Tunde Young 16:38 - 24.03.2023

Breaking down and explaining Nigeria's formation against in the AFCON qualifier against Guinea-Bissau.

The Super Eagles' lineup for the AFCON 2023 qualifying fixture against Guinea-Bissau has been released and the setup could be interpreted in various ways.

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Nigeria lineup Guinea-Bissau 

Peseiro put out a reasonably expected lineup with little tweaks as a large majority of the usual suspects start the game against Djurtus.

  • GK - FRANCIS UZOHO, CB - CALVIN BASSEY, CB - KEVIN AKPOGUMA, LB - ZAIDU SANUSI, RB - BRIGHT OSAYI-SAMUEL, CM - WILFRED NDIDI, CM - ALEX IWOBI, LW - ADEMOLA LOOKMAN, RW - SAMUEL CHUKWUEZE, CF - KELECHI IHEANACHO, CF - VICTOR OSIMHEN.

A Super Eagles formation built on a solid defence

Francis Uzoho starts in goal as the more experienced goalkeeper ahead of two Super Eagles newbies in Sochima and Aniagboso.

Super Eagles goalkeeper Francis Uzoho
Super Eagles goalkeeper Francis Uzoho

Bright Osayi-Samuel starts as a right fullback following an impressive debut last time out against Portugal while Zaidu Sanusi is the left back with a centre-back partnership of Calvin Bassey and Kevin Akpoguma.

Super Eagles' flexibility in midfield

The lineup can be interpreted as a 4-4-2, 4-2-4 or a 4-2-1-3 depending on how the game progresses but we can deduce based on Peseiro's precedence what he aims to achieve here.

The major flexibility is in the midfield where Ndidi and Iwobi will most likely function as a double pivot with the former sitting deep while the latter is given the freedom to roam.

Iwobi and Ndidi work well together as a double pivot
Iwobi and Ndidi work well together as a double pivot

Iheanacho is the key to the flexibility as he can drop deeper into the number 10 role to make a three-man midfield or join Osimhen upfront as a second striker in a 4-4-2.

Recent history under Peseiro shows that both formations will be employed and the Super Eagles will switch through the gears depending on whether or not they have possession.

Super Eagles forwards

Ademola Lookman and Samuel Chukwueze are tasked with the responsibility of providing width while Iheanacho plays off Osimhen as the point man.

Expect to see passes from deep, expectedly from Iwobi attempting to find Osimhen's runs as the primary chance creation channel for Nigeria today.

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