Super Eagles best starting lineup post-AFCONQ : Goalkeeper and defenders 

With the Super Eagles players who prosecuted the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying games against Guinea-Bissau set to restart their club duties across Europe this weekend, allnigeriasoccer.com looks at the players who should be considered as Nigeria's best XI at the moment. 

The one year anniversary of the ill-fated 2022 World Cup qualifier against Ghana and the string of defeats recorded in recent times are still fresh in the minds of Nigerian football supporters. 

The criteria used to come up with this lineup are current form, versatility, leadership, creativity and passion for the Nigerian jersey. 

We begin this featured article with the goalkeeper and the defenders. 

Goalkeeper 

Adeleye Adeleye  : The Hapoel  Jerusalem goalkeeper has not gained the confidence and trust of the Super Eagles handlers yet but his form for his Israeli club deserves to be recognized. 

Solely based on form and the expectation of Nigerians, Adeleye could have made a difference in the game.

Defenders 

Bright Osayi-Samuel  : The three-cap Super Eagles right back has made positive impact in the team with his aspiring performances. 

With his current form, perhaps if he had made his debut at the time, perhaps something good might have been achieved. 

Calvin Bassey  : Ajax defender, Calvin Bassey did not have his best games for the team in the double headers against Guinea-Bissau. 

However, his quality is not in doubt and with a good atmosphere and better motivation, his output would be more effective. 
Zaidu Sanusi is a great backup but not as first choice - unless when Bassey in central defence. 

Semi Ajayi : Super Eagles central defenderAjayi may not have been playing for a Premier League club at the moment, but he is indeed a key player for West Brom.

Ajayi's encouraging performance against Guinea-Bissau in  reverse leg of the Africa Cup of Nations qualifier affirms the hunger the defender has to prove a point and be part of first team plans for the Super Eagles. 

Kelvin Akpoguma : Partnering Ajayi should have been captain William Troost-Ekong.  At the moment, injuries and poor form have conspired to limit the output of the Watford loanee.

But based on his performance before his head injury against Guinea-Bissau, Akpoguma who can also play at right back position claims it. 

Akpoguma has not been a regular in the team but that could be the single factor that galvanizes him to play very well whenever the chance comes.

Izuchukwu Michael 

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