Nigeria will begin their quest to play at the 2026 World Cup, when they host Lesotho on Thursday evening.
The head coach of the Super Eagles, Jose Peseiro, has 23 players in camp ahead of the clash at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo, Akwa Ibom.
However, there are some notable absentees, with Victor Osimhen missing out due to injury.
In the goalkeeping department, home-based goalkeepers Olorunleke Ojo and Obasogie will provide Francis Uzoho with competition instead of Maduka Okoye and Adebayo Adeleye.
With these situations taken into account, Pesiro will field a slightly different lineup from the past.
Uzoho is very likely to start between the sticks barring any last-minute incident.
In defence, Calvin Bassey and Semi Ajayi will partner each other in the middle.
Jamilu Collins is expected to start at left-back following Bruno Onyemaechi’s injury. Then, Ola Aina will feature from the right of Nigeria’s defence.
In midfield, Raphael Onyedika should start in the absence of Wilfred Ndidi, and he will be partnered by Frank Onyeka.
Fulham star Alex Iwobi will be the creative link in midfield, trying to carve out spaces in the Lesotho defence with his passes.
Then, in the attack, Ademola Lookman is expected to start from the left, while Samuel Chukwueze will operate from the right. Victor Boniface will lead the attack and make sure Osimhen is not missed.