Nigeria striker Emmanuel Emenike has been named among the substitutes for Saturday late afternoon kick-off against Congo in Calabar.
The Super Eagles tackle Claude Leroy’s side in a 2015 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) qualifier at the UJ Esuene Stadium later in the day.
Coach Stephen Keshi has instead named free agent Uche Nwofor in his starting forward line, alongside Nnamdi Oduamadi (FC Crotone, Italy) and Ahmed Musa (CSKA Moscow).
Keshi is understood to be saving the best for the last, with a second Afcon qualifier scheduled for South Africa in five days’ time.
Almeria midfielder Ramon Azeez joins Mikel Obi and Ogenyi Onazi in the midfield.
Nigeria need all three points to mount pressure on South Africa; 3-0 winners in Sudan last night.
Kick-off time: 5:00pm (Nigerian time)
Nigeria lineup:
Austin Ejide; Efe Ambrose, Elderson Echiejile, Godfrey Obaobona, Kenneth Omeruo; Ramon Azeez, Ogenyi Onazi, Mikel Obi; Ahmed Musa, Nnamdi Oduamadi, Uche Nwofor.
