Kano Pillars defensive midfielder Godspower Anefiok is most likely to start for Nigeria in place of suspended skipper Azubuike Okechukwu for Wednesday’s U23 AFCON semi-final against hosts Senegal.
Okechukwu will miss the semi-final after he was booked against Mali and Algeria.
Godspower got his first start in the final Group B match against Algeria on Wednesday, but he was played out of position as a winger.
Officials said the former Akwa United star will now stabilize the team’s rather shaky defence as he will focus more on doing his defensive shift as against Okechukwu, who preferred to join the attack.
Bayelsa United winger Toingoli Tonbara will also most likely get his first start in Senegal in place of the injured Stanley Dimgba.
He was a second half sub against Algeria and his mazy dribbles troubled the defence of the North Africans.