Coach Eric Chelle makes a surprising tactical decision, handing 20-year-old Benjamin Fredrick a start and naming Wilfred Ndidi as stand-in captain for must-win match against Rwanda.
In a bold and unexpected move, Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle has opted to bench team captain William Troost-Ekong for Nigeria’s critical 2026 World Cup qualifier against Rwanda on Tuesday.
The 32-year-old defender, who was the first player to arrive at camp, will be replaced by 20-year-old Benjamin Fredrick. This marks only the second national team appearance for the young FCV Dender EH defender, who will now partner with Calvin Bassey at the heart of Nigeria’s defense.
In Troost-Ekong’s absence, midfielder Wilfred Ndidi will lead the team onto the pitch as the stand-in captain for this must-win encounter.
The starting lineup reveals a strong attacking intent, featuring the in-form duo of Victor Osimhen and Moses Simon alongside Ademola Lookman. Lookman’s inclusion is particularly notable as he has been frozen out at his club, Atalanta, and has not featured for them this season.
In positive news, goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali has recovered from an injury scare to take his place between the posts. The midfield will be anchored by Frank Onyeka, Alex Iwobi, and captain Ndidi.
The Super Eagles, currently sitting in a disappointing fourth place in Group A with just seven points from six matches, face a must-win scenario to keep their 2026 World Cup qualification hopes alive.
The match kicks off at 5 PM local time at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo.
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Muhammad ibirahimi