CSKA Moscow of Russia attacker, Ahmed Musa looks good for a starter’s role with the Super Eagles against Iceland on Friday, as the team’s Franco-German coach, Gernot Rohr is opting for changes upfront.
While Rohr is also said to be tinkering with the idea of dropping Odion Jude Ighalo for Kelechi Iheanacho and allowing Simeon Tochukwu Nwankwo get a look in somewhere along the line, he appears to have already decided to drop Alex Iwobi for Musa.
Such was the observation from Wednesday’s training session in Essentuki, Russia, in which all the players of the team took part.
That was a sign of how fit the entire squad is, but some players who started in the 0-2 loss against Croatia are in danger of getting dropped to the bench for Friday’s game.
Iwobi lined up for B team for the third time in a row since his unexpectedly poor outing on the left flank against Croatia on Saturday.
Musa will most likely start against Iceland as he has been fully involved in training with the A team, where his pace, awareness and goal scoring has caught the eyes.
Musa got off came off the bench in the disappointing loss to Croatia on Saturday, and could be a starter when they face their Icelandic counterparts on Friday.
Rohr is desperate to get Nigeria’s World Cup campaign back on track and Musa’s pace and directness could now fetch him his first start at the tournament at the expense of Iwobi, who was not at his best against Croatia at the weekend.
The speedy winger, who is returning to Leicester City in the Premier League after his short loan stint at CSKA Moscow, has expectedly been quite popular among the Russian fans.
He and Victor Moses are now set to start on the flanks as Gernot Rohr goes in search of the goals that will give his team victory and keep their World Cup hopes alive after a disappointing opening day loss to Croatia.
However, Crotone forward, Nwankwo (Simy) will likely get a more defensive role against Iceland to help Nigeria match the physically imposing opponent in aerial duels.
