Blow by blow: Nigeria vs Iceland
The Super Eagles star was dropped for their first game of the tournament but that decision backfired as Nigeria lost 2-0 to Croatia.
Nigerias goalkeeper Francis Uzoho fails to save the ball during the international friendly football match between Nigeria and Czech Republic in Rannersdorf, Austria on June 6, 2018. / AFP PHOTO / VLADIMIR SIMICEK
Oghenekaro Etebo, who scored an own goal against Croatia, could be the player to make way as coach Gernot Rohr tries to give his team a lift as they aim to keep their World Cup hopes alive.
Leicester City winger Ahmed Musa is also in contention to come into the team while Iceland have injury problems of their own.
Burnley winger Johann Berg Gudmundsson suffered a muscle injury in the 1-1 draw against Argentina and may be rested for Rurik Gislason, who replaced him last weekend.
Nigeria will need to improve their defending at set pieces, with 52 per cent of goals conceded at World Cups since 1994 coming from dead-ball situations.
Iceland showed tremendous organisation skills as they shocked Argentina last time out but their lack of goals could be an issue and a low-scoring game could be on the cards.
In their only previous meeting, Iceland triumphed 3-0 in a 1981 friendly, but all five of Nigeria’s wins at the World Cup have come against European sides.
