The Super Eagles were beaten 1-0 by Senegal in their last preparatory game for the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt, on Sunday.
The behind-closed-doors friendly was held at the training pitch of the Hotel Mercure, in Ismailia.
Barring an injury, Daniel Akpeyi appears to be the first choice between the sticks for the Super Eagles as he got the nod from manager, Gernot Rohr, to start ahead of Ikechukwu Ezenwa and Francis Uzoho.
The trio of Kenneth Omeruo, Troost-Ekong and John Ogu lined up in central defence in a 3-5-2 formation, the midfield contained Jamilu Collins, Obi Mikel, Wilfred Ndidi, Alex Iwobi and Samuel Kalu, while Odion Ighalo and Samuel Chukwueze started in attack.
Everton midfielder Idrissa Gana Gueye, who captained the Senegalese side, netted the game winner in the 30th minute, which ended the Super Eagles eight-game unbeaten run.
following the defeat, Wilfred Ndidi believes Nigeria’s opponents in Group B will not be easy and there could be a surprises.
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The three-time Africa champions, who were held to a goalless draw by Zimbabwe last weekend, begin their Africa Cup of Nations campaign against Burundi on Saturday, June 22.
The Super Eagles are up against two debutants in Madagascar and Burundi, plus an experienced Guinea in their group.
“I don’t think it is an easy group for me, there is no easy team in modern football. No matter the name, the only matter is the 90 minutes of the game,” Ndidi told Goal.
“We can get a shock in this group so we have to stay focused on the game, not on how easy it is, and ignore what people say.
“We will play tough games against very good teams and our target is to be on top by the end of group stages.”
The Leicester City midfielder ended the 2018-19 Premier League season as the best tackler with 142 completed tackles.
During the campaign, he faced the continent’s best stars including Egypt’s Mohamed Salah, Senegal’s Sadio Mane and Algeria’s Riyad Mahrez whom he has picked as the toughest.
“Salah is a very good player, I played against him three times, he is a great finisher and very fast. Mane is also a very good player,” he said.
