AFCON 2021 : Eight things to note on Nigeria's starting lineup to face Egypt

Published: January 11, 2022

Legendary Super Eagles fullback Augustine Eguavoen has announced his first official lineup as caretaker boss of Nigeria.

Allnigeriasoccer.com's editorial staff brings you eight things to note on the confirmed Super Eagles starting lineup for their mouthwatering 2021 Africa Cup of Nations clash against seven-time champions Egypt.

1) The lineup features just two changes from the eleven that started against Coton Sport in the national team's practice game last Friday, January 7, with Ahmed Musa and Chidera Ejuke making way for Samuel Chukwueze and Moses Simon respectively.

2) Four of the eleven players in the starting lineup were born abroad : Maduka Okoye, Ola Aina, William Troost-Ekong and Joe Aribo.

3) The average age of the starting lineup is 24.91 years with four players aged 25 namely Joe Aribo, Kelechi Iheanacho, Wilfred Ndidi and Ola Aina.

4) This is the first time Nigeria has fielded a starting lineup at the Africa Cup of Nations without a player over the age of 30 since their semifinal loss to Ghana on January 28, 2010.

5) Nantes winger Moses Simon is making his seventh consecutive start for the Super Eagles, a streak that dates back to the World Cup qualifier against Liberia - more than any other player in the starting lineup.

6) Five players are making their Africa Cup of Nations debuts : Okoye, Aribo, Iheanacho, Sanusi and Awoniyi.

7) Jamilu Collins, Odion Ighalo, Peter Olayinka, John Noble and Chidozie Awaziem are not available for selection against Egypt.

8) Of the players named in the starting lineup, Leicester City star Kelechi Iheanacho has scored the most international goals, eleven.

Nigeria Starting XI : Okoye, Aina, Troost-Ekong, Omeruo, Sanusi, Ndidi, Aribo, Iheanacho, Chukwueze, Awoniyi, Simon

Substitutes : Akpeyi, Uzoho, Ebuehi, Iwobi, Nwakali, Ejuke, Umar, Onyekuru, Musa, Onyeka, Ndah, Ajayi

Ifeanyi Emmanuel

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