Nigeria vs Egypt: Rohr Confirms Balogun And Onuachu’s Starting Places

Balogun Leon Aderemi of Nigeria challenged by Lebo Mothiba of South Africa during the 2019 African Cup of Nations Qualifier match between South Africa and Nigeria at FNB Stadium, Johannesburg on 17 November 2018 ©Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix

Super Eagles Technical Adviser, Gernot Rohr has confirmed that Brighton and Hove Albion defender Leon Balogun and FC Midtjyland striker Paul Onuachu will be in the lineup today at the Stephen Keshi Stadium, Asaba when Nigeria face Egypt in an international friendly match.

Both Onuachu and Balogun started the game on the bench when Nigeria wrapped up their AFCON qualification with a 3-1 win against Seychelles and the former coming on as a second-half substitute for his senior team debut.

Rohr however, confirmed in a press conference yesterday that both players will play from the start.

“We have a new striker starting. We will have a new goalkeeper playing and there will be a change in the defence, Leon Balogun will play and we will also have a new midfielder in the midfield,” Rohr told the press.

With four players from the Super Eagles; Francis Uzoho, Chidozie Awaziem, Valentine Ozornwafor and Victor Osimhen assigned to a rescue mission with the Under 23s yesterday, Rohr also said that some of the other fringe players will get minutes today.

Continuing, he stressed that, “We have the young player Ikouwem Udo who I saw at the Under 20, we also have Ndifreke Effiong here so we will be able to make six changes since it is a friendly and see a lot of players.”