Super Eagles Manager, Gernot Rohr will hand out four debuts in an experimental Nigeria line-up to take on Ukraine.
Fortuna Düsseldorf II goalkeeper Maduka Okoye, Rangers’ Joe Aribo and Bordeaux forward Josh Maja are likely to start Tuesday’s friendly in Dnipro, with Club Brugge forward Emmanuel Dennis ready to come on at half-time for his own senior bow.
The Super Eagles face Andriy Shevchenko’s men on September 10 as part of their preparations for November’s 2021 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Benin Republic.
Born in London, 23-year-old Aribo plays as a midfielder in the Scottish Premiership and has featured on 12 occasions and scored four goals for Steven Gerrard’s side this term.
19-year-old Okoye features for Fortuna Düsseldorf II in the German fourth division and Gernot Rohr will be relying on him to solve Nigeria’s goalkeeping problems.
London-born Maja is eligible for both selections (Nigeria or England). The highly-rated attacker has scored once in four league games for Bordeaux this season.
Emmanuel joined Club Brugge in 2017 from Ukrainian club Zorya. He cost €1.3 million then.
He has scored 21 goals and provided eleven assists in 79 appearances for the Belgian club.
Meanwhile, Leicester City striker Kelechi Iheanacho was the last player to join the Super Eagles in Ukraine for tomorrow’s friendly after he missed his outward bound flight.
Eagles top official Patrick Pascal disclosed that Iheanacho was the last player to join up in Dnipro after he failed to catch his flight from England.
Iheanacho was dropped for the recent AFCON in Egypt.
Udinese defender William Ekong is expected to lead out the team in the absence of captain Ahmed Musa, who pulled out of the match due to injury.
Kick-off time on Tuesday is 6.30pm in Nigeria.
