Peseiro opts for change of formation against Ivory Coast bringing in Bassey and Chukwueze

SUPER Eagles head coach José Peseiro has released his starting line-up for tonight's game against hosts Ivory Coast in the ongoing African Cup of Nations with two changes that include Calvin Bassey and Samuel Chukwuze coming into the team.

In her opening game, Nigeria played a disappointing 1-1 draw with Equatorial Guinea, put mainly down to wastefulness in front of goal. Despite dominating play in their first game, the Eagles lacked much penetration, which appears to have forced coach Jose Peseiro to abandon his 4-3-3 formation in favour of a 3-4-3 line-up for today's game.

At the back, it appears that the Fulham centreback Bassey, will slot in alongside William Ekong and Semi Ajayi. In midfield, Alhassan Yusuf is injured, which has facilitated the formation change, while upfront, AC Milan's Chukwueze replaces Simon Moses, who had a bad day against Equatorial Guinea.

Stanley Nwabili keeps his place in goal, while Ola Aina has been deployed at right wing-back with Zaidu Sanusi taking up the left wing-back role. Leicester City's Kelechi Iheanacho, although fit and back to training, has not been handed a starting shirt, as the manager has kept faith with Ademola Lookman.

Brentford's Frank Onyeka and Alex Iwobi maintain their places in the heart of the midfield in the spine of the team behind striker Victor Osimhen. Such is the magnitude of the game that today has been declared a public holiday in Ivory Coast to enable fans watch the match.

Starting line-up (3-4-3 formation):

Nwabili, Troost-Ekong, Ajayi, Bassey, Aina, Zaidu, Onyeka, Iwobi, Chukwueze, Lookman, Osimhen