A Nigerian top official has disclosed that he was shocked with coach Augustine Eguavoen’s starting XI against Ghana in the first leg tie of the 2022 FIFA World Cup final play-offs.
The Super Eagles were held to a goalless draw last Friday at the Baba Yara Sports stadium in Kumasi.
Nigeria must win their match against Ghana in Abuja on Tuesday, March 29, 2022 at the Moshood Abiola Stadium for a ticket to Qatar 2022.
“We were all shocked [with Eguavoen’s team set up],” a leading Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) official told journalist Osasu Obayiuwana.
“He suggested that he will go with a 4-3-3 formation, so as not to give Ghana space in the midfield.
“It ought to have been (Innocent) Bonke, (Joe) Aribo and (Oghenekaro) Etebo in the midfield with Moses Simon, Victor Osimhen and Ademola Lookman in attack.
“He finally decided to play with Kelechi Iheanacho [as an attacking midfielder] and we were back to the way we played at the Afcon [against Tunisia].”
The winner of the tie will represent the continent at the World football showpiece which is scheduled to take place from November 21 to December 18.
The Super Eagles are seeking to qualify for the global showpiece a 7th time and, since 1994, have missed only one of seven editions. The last of three appearances by Ghana was in 2014.