Nigeria’s Super Eagles will be looking to seal their qualification for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations when they play Sierra Leone at the SKD Stadium in Monrovia on Sunday.
Nigeria needs a victory to seal their spot, and while it seems like a game that would swing in the Super Eagles’ favour, anything could happen.
Both teams sit 77 places apart in the FIFA rankings with Nigeria in 40th place while the Leone Stars are 117th. The gulf in quality between both sides is also very clear, as the Super Eagles’ squad boasts of many top players, while the Sierra Leone side do not have established stars.
Nigeria is currently blessed with some of the best forwards in the game at the moment. And coach Peseiro would have to utilize his arsenal properly to ensure that the three-time African champions win.
Coach Peseiro invited seven attackers for the game against Sierra Leone. Asides from Moses Simon who had a disappointing season with Nantes, the other six had decent campaigns.
Ahead of the fixture, we aim to predict the forward three for the game.
Samuel Chukwueze, Ademola Lookman, Victor Osimhen, Taiwo Awoniyi, Kelechi Iheanacho, and Ahmed Musa are the forwards at Peseiro’s disposal. Considering his lack of game time, Musa would not start. So the three attacking spaces should be shared between the other six players.
Napoli star boy Osimhen is expected to lead the line for the Super Eagles, especially after a successful season. He is the highest goalscorer on the team, and it would be a travesty if he does not start except for injury.
However, Peseiro prefers to use two strikers in his setup. As such he would likely be paired with Nottingham Forest star Awoniyi, who scored ten goals for his English Premier League side last season.
As Peseiro likes to use two strikers, there is a high possibility that could deploy a four-man attack.
This means that Samuel Chukwueze will play on the right side of the attack. The Villarreal man has been underwhelming for the Super Eagles, but he should get the nod after contributing to 23 goals for his club last season.
On the left side of the attack, Atalanta star Ademola Lookman should start for Nigeria.
Simon has been the go-to man in the past, but considering his poor form at Nantes which has seen him reduced to a bench warmer, he may have to sit for Lookman.
Nigeria has always struggled to score goals despite the array of attacking talents. Nonetheless, peseiro would be hoping that his team clicks in Monrovia.
