John Obi Mikel will captain the Super Eagles of Nigeria when they file out against the indomitable lions of Cameroon for their 2018 World Cup qualifying match in group B, but there is no place in the starting eleven for Leicester City’s forward Kelechi Iheanacho.
Mikel who last played for the Super Eagles in the 3-1 victory over Algeria,replaces Oghenekaro Etebo who started in his place in the loss to South Africa in June. The Tianjin TEDA midfielder will play alongside the duo of Ogenyi Onazi and Wilfred Ndidi in the midfield.
Also, Kelechi Iheanacho, who has scored three goals in his last four appearance for the Super Eagles was dropped to the bench by Gernot Rohr as the Franco-German coach prefered to go with Odion Jude Ighalo.
Coincidentally, Ighalo scored the second goal for Nigeria the last time they square up against the Cameroonians during a friendly tie in 2015.
Victor Moses, Leon Balogun, and Goal Keeper Ikechukwu Ezenwa are the other players who did not start in the game against South Africa and are included in the starting line-up.
Nigeria lead Russia 2018 Africa qualifying Group B with six points from two matches while Cameroon are second with two points from the same number of matches.
FULL LIST
- Ikechukwu Ezenwa
- Shehu Abdullahi
- Leon Balogun
- William Troost-Ekong
- Elderson Echiejile
- Ogenyi Onazi
- Mikel Obi
- Wilfred Ndidi
- Victor Moses
- Moses Simon
- Odion Ighalo
