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Kelechi Iheanacho

2023 AFCON: Peseiro tweaks formation ahead of Equatorial Guinea clash as Iheanacho, Moffi arrive Cote d’Ivoire

By Victor Okoye/Olayinka Owolewa

Abidjan, Jan. 13, 2024

Super Eagles Coach, Jose Peseiro, has tinkered with the team’s formation ahead of their first group game of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) against Equatorial Guinea.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the changes to the team became necessary due to injuries picked up by some key players, and the earlier absence of Kelechi Iheanacho.

The Super Eagles of Nigeria Coach, Jose Peseiro has, however, said that the duo of Kelechi Iheanacho and Terem Moffi have arrived Cote D’Ivoire for the 2023 African Cup of Nations beginning today, Saturday, January 13, 2024, in Abidjan.

Nigeria will play with only one fit striker in Victor Osimhen with Sadiq Umar, Victor Boniface and Kelechi Iheanacho all out of the first game.

Umar and Boniface were replaced by the duo of Paul Onuachu and Terem Moffi due to injury.

However, the late call-ups are unlikely to make it on time for the opening game.

Also, Iheanacho who is recovering from a knock, was expected to fly in from UK today (Saturday), a day to the game, which effectively rules him out of the encounter.

During the team’s training session on Friday monitored by NAN, Osimhen was kept aside from all physical contact; a precautionary move as the only fit striker in the team.

He was also instructed to avoid going into any tackle or aggressive contact in the team’s remaining training sessions ahead of the game.

Team Captain, Ahmed Musa, was deployed to the role of a backup striker.

Initially picked to play in his natural role as a winger, Musa is now expected to go into the first game as the deputy striker in the absence of Moffi, Iheanacho and Onuachu.

The three-time African champions will begin their quest for a fourth title on Sunday against Equatorial Guinea, before facing Ivory Coast Jan. 18.

Their last group game is against Guinea-Bissau on  Jan. 22.

Peseiro announced the arrival of Kelechi Iheanacho and Terem Moffi on Saturday in Abidjan at the team’s news conference ahead of the country’s first game of the competition tomorrow, Sunday.

He said it is unfortunate that a couple of players picked up injuries at the more crucial stage of the competition.

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