Unhappy Benchers! Will Peseiro’s Gambit with Moffi, Iheanacho Pay off?

On Monday, Nigeria had to rely on an Opa Sangante own goal, in a scrappy encounter to march on from the Guinea Bissau competition.

So far, after three matches Nigeria has scored just two goals and only one from open play, a bewildering concern given the pre-tournament hype around the quality of Peseiro’s attacking options.

Victor Osimhen is the only forward who has registered his name on the score sheet, albeit Paul Onuachu – despite his late call up -has played twice already.

Meanwhile, other late arrivals to the Super Eagles camp, Terem Moffi and Kelechi Iheanacho, have both been left on the bench since their arrival.

Iheanacho, who recently recovered from a muscle injury, has been declared fit but still finds no place on the pitch – and there are visible growing frustrations on the Super Eagles bench.

However, Jose Peseiro has reiterated that he will only pick his best players for any game, although he has defended the work rate of his 25 players in camp.

On Monday, Nigeria booked a place in the round of 16 and will await their next opponent; the business end of the competition will certainly test the resolve of the Coach and his squad.