Eight things to note on Nigeria's starting lineup to face Mexico

Portuguese football tactician Jose Peseiro has announced his first starting lineup as manager of three-time African champions Nigeria.

Allnigeriasoccer.com's editorial staff  brings you eight things to note on the starting lineup to face Mexico at the AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, United States.

1) The eleven players selected in the starting lineup have an average age of 25.36 years, with William Troost-Ekong and Semi Ajayi the oldest at 28.

2) Three players are aged 23 and younger : Francis Uzoho, Calvin Bassey and Terem Moffi.

3) Peseiro has made seven changes to the Super Eagles starting lineup that started against Ghana in Abuja. Leon Balogun, Oghenekaro Etebo, Frank Onyeka, Ademola Lookman, Emmanuel Dennis and Victor Osimhen are all unavailable for selection, while Ola Aina has an injury concern.

4) Having made the starting lineup against Mexico, Nantes winger Moses Simon has been involved in the last fifteen matches played by the Super Eagles A Team  - the only player in the squad to do so.

5) English-based duo Troost-Ekong and Semi Ajayi are paired together in central defence from the off for the sixth time in their national team careers. The first time they partnered each other was in a friendly against Ukraine in September 2019.

6) Terem Moffi and Cyriel Dessers are making their starting debuts for the Super Eagles.

7) Of the ten outfield players named in the starting lineup, five are aiming to score their first senior goal for the national team namely Ajayi, Bassey, Bonke, Moffi and Dessers.

8) Joe Aribo is making his eighteenth start for the Super Eagles. The Rangers star has the honour of being the only player in the starting lineup who has never played as a substitute.

Nigeria starting lineup :Uzoho, Awaziem, Troost-Ekong, Ajayi, Bassey, Bonke, Aribo, Iwobi, Simon, Moffi, Dessers

Ifeanyi Emmanuel

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