Super Eagles head coach Finidi George has announced his starting lineup for tonight’s 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification showdown against South Africa at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo.
The match, scheduled for 8 p.m., is a must-win for both teams, with Nigeria currently trailing South Africa by a point in Group C.
Finidi has opted for Paul Onuachu as the starting centre-forward, overlooking Victor Boniface, the top scorer for Bayer Leverkusen last season. Onuachu, on loan at Trabzonspor from Southampton, boasts an impressive goalscoring record, with 17 goals and four assists in 26 games last season, making him the Nigerian player with the best goalscoring ratio in Europe.
In the goalkeeping department, Finidi has chosen Chippa United’s Stanley Nwabali over Udinese’s Maduka Okoye and Enyimba’s Olorunleke Ojo. Bright Osayi-Samuel and Calvin Bassey will start as wingbacks, while Benjamin Tanimu and Semi Ajayi will form the centre defence.
The midfield trio consists of Wilfred Ndidi, Alex Iwobi, and Fisayo Dele-Bashiru, with Ademola Lookman and Kelechi Iheanacho starting on the wings. This lineup suggests a 4-3-3 formation for the Super Eagles.
The full lineup is as follows:
Goalkeeper: Nwabali-Osayi
Defenders: Bassey, Benjamin Tanimu, Semi Ajayi, Osayi-Samuel
Midfielders: Ndidi, Iwobi, Dele-Bashiru
Attackers: Ademola Lookman, Onuachu, Iheanacho
