Eguavoen considers formation shift after Ajayi injury blow
By Tosin Omojola
Super Eagles’ interim manager, Augustine Eguavoen, may need to adjust his team’s formation following an injury to key defender Semi Ajayi.
Nigeria is set to face Benin Republic and Rwanda in their final AFCON 2024 Qualifying matches this month, but they will be without Ajayi, who suffered a hamstring injury while playing for West Bromwich Albion.
The English club’s manager, Carlos Corberan, confirmed that Ajayi will require surgery and is expected to be sidelined for at least four months.
Ajayi has been an essential part of Nigeria’s solid 3-4-3 formation, which proved effective at the last AFCON tournament in Côte d’Ivoire, where the Eagles finished as runners-up to the host nation.
With Ajayi’s absence, Eguavoen faces a decision between finding a direct replacement or altering the team’s structure to accommodate the change.
Nigeria will first play Benin Republic on November 14, 2024, at Benin’s adopted home ground in Côte d’Ivoire, before completing their qualification series four days later at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.
Currently leading their group with 10 points from four games, the Super Eagles need only a draw in their final two matches to secure qualification for the upcoming AFCON in Morocco.
