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2026 FIFA WCQ: Predicted Nigeria XI vs Benin Republic with Boniface to lead attack

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2026 FIFA WCQ: Predicted Nigeria XI vs Benin Republic with Boniface to lead attack

By Wale Mustapha 

Nigeria’s senior national team will take on the Squirrels of Benin Republic in the continuation of their 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers on Monday.

George Finidi led the Nigerian side to yet another draw on Friday, managing a 1-1 against South Africa in Uyo. The match at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium saw the Super Eagles missing some key elements in their approach, especially in the first half.

Coach George Finidi, who was impressed with the team’s second-half display, will be looking to make a few adjustments to his lineup against the Gernot Rohr-led Benin Republic.

Here, Nigeriafootball.ng presents how the Super Eagles could line up against the Squirrels on Monday.

Goalkeeper: Stanley Nwabali will likely continue to man the posts, delivering the needed performance and coordinating his backline as expected.

Defense: With the injury sustained by Benjamin Tanimu in the second half of the match, he might be excused from the starting lineup. Coach Finidi can then bring back Bright Osayi-Samuel to his natural right-back position. Chiedozie Awaziem should be handed a start alongside Semi Ajayi in central defense, while Calvin Bassey will be drafted to the left-back position.

Midfield: Though the trio of Wilfred Ndidi, Alex Iwobi, and Fisayo Dele-Bashiru brought some needed balance and spark to Nigeria’s midfield, apart from their sloppy start in the first half, they might be retained for the game against the Squirrels. However, Dele-Bashiru might not recover in time for the task following the knock he sustained during the match against the Bafana Bafana, which will see Club Brugge’s Raphael Onyedika coming in for him in the starting berth.

Attack: It’s possible that Coach Finidi will make a new twist to the team’s attack following the lackluster outing from Ademola Lookman, Paul Onuachu, and Kelechi Iheanacho. Having failed to cause a major threat to the South African defense and also deliver needed passes, Onuachu and Iheanacho will likely make way for Victor Boniface and Samuel Chukwueze, while Lookman is expected to retain his spot on the left wing.

Boniface is expected to bring his club form to bear for the Super Eagles on Monday and also hopes to get the needed supplies from both Chukwueze and Lookman.

The Super Eagles cannot afford to drop any points in their subsequent qualifying games as it will spell doom for their World Cup aspirations.

The projected lineup in full: Stanley Nwabali; Bright Osayi-Samuel, Chiedozie Awaziem, Semi Ajayi, Calvin Bassey; Wilfred Ndidi, Raphael Onyedika, Alex Iwobi; Samuel Chukwueze, Victor Boniface, Ademola Lookman.

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