On loan FC Porto defender Chidozie Awaziem is in line to start for Nigeria alongside William Troost-Ekong in central defence, Leon Balogun fails a late fitness test.
Coach Gernot Rohr confirmed doubts surrounds the availability of the Mainz 05 defender as he picked up a knock in Friday’s 4-0 win over Cameroon in Uyo.
Balogun according to Rohr trained normally with the rest of the squad during their close door session in Yaounde ahead of today’s game, but his participation in today’s game is still in doubt unless he scales through a late fitness test.
“We have two injury worries. Odion Ighalo and Leon Balogun are nursing injuries from the game on Friday. They trained and tried to shake it off, but I will observe them till tomorrow to decide if they would be available for selection.” Rohr stated.
If Balogun fails to make the game, Awaziem who presently plays for French Ligue 1 side Nantes will fill in for him alongside Troost-Ekong, a pairing which won’t inspire confidence in Nigerians as their last outing as a pair ended in Nigeria losing 0-2 to South Africa in the AFCON 2019 Qualifiers.
Patrick Joel LIVE in Yaoundé
