Super Eagles stars are grumbling that coach Gernot Rohr has already picked his starting XI for Sunday’s World Cup qualifier in Zambia after just a handful of trainings.
“This can only kill competition in the team as those in the first XI are now relaxed that they will start on Sunday,” one of the disgruntled players told another colleague, who was also unhappy with the development.
From the test game against Plateau United on Wednesday as well as Thursday evening training, Rohr appears to have already settled on virtually the same team he lined up against Tanzania last month in Uyo.
Barring injury or illness before the big game, the only major change will be in attack where Brown Ideye will lead the strike force in the absence of bereaved Watford star Odion Ighalo.
Kenneth Omeruo will also play alongside William Troost-Ekong in the absence of the injured Leon Balogun in the heart of the defence.
Ahmed Musa, who has struggled to establish himself at premier League champions Leicester City, will also be axed to the bench.
Gent of Belgium winger Moses Simon will be picked ahead of Ahmed Musa.
The starting XI (4-2-3-1):
Carl Ikeme – Musa Mohammed, Elderson Echiejile, Kenneth Omeruo, William Troost-Ekong – Ogenyi Onazi, Mikel Obi (captain) – Moses Simon, Alex Iwobi, Kelechi Iheanacho – Brown Ideye
credit: africanfootball