Nigeria coach Augustine Eguavoen has revealed he will be making wholesale changes to the starting line up when his teams turn out against Guinea-Bissau at Ominisports Roumde Adjia on Wednesday.
The Super Eagles have enjoyed a fine start, winning the two opening matches in Group D, following a 1-0 and 3-1 triumphs over Egypt and Sudan - both former champions to seal the passage to Round of 16 with a game to spear.
After enjoying a smooth recovery session on Sunday, Monday's training session in Garoua consisted mostly of those who did not play against Sudan, including Chidozie Awaziem on Saturday as Eguavoen prepares to shuffle his pack.
“Everybody in this team has a chance to play in this tournament, so with qualification secured, we will be giving some players the opportunity to play in the next game,” Eguavoen disclosed to the media.
With Nigeria guaranteeing top spot, Nigeria could make changes to the starters with Brentford man Frank Onyeka, Kelechi Nwakali, Chidera Ejuke, Alex Iwobi and Umar Sadiq are among them give some players a breather.
“I didn’t want to take the risk, which was why I retained the same starting lineup (against Sudan),” the coach said.
“Coaching of this team started in January 6 and it was difficult to take the risk because it was better to play with a team that has been together for some time. We banked on players who know themselves.”
The Super Eagles are destined to finish top of Group D irrespective of what happens in their final preliminary game against Guinea-Bissau face a tie with the best third placed side in B, E and F.
On Wednesday, they will square up against Guinea-Bissau and the former Gombe United coach insists his side is battle ready to take any opponent in the knockout stage of the 24-nation African tournament.
“We are ready to face anybody,” Eguavoen said, stressing that:“To be a champion you have to face any team. Whoever comes our way we will work hard and study them."
