The captain is replaced on the team by Semi Ajayi, who pairs
with Calvin Bassey at the heart of the Nigerian defence.

Eric Chelle, the Super Eagles head coach, has also handed
Akor Adams his first start with the team.

The 25-year-old striker came on from the bench to score on
his debut in Nigeria’s 2-1 victory over Lesotho on Friday.

He will be pairing with Victor Osimhen as the tip of the
Nigerian attacking force that must defeat the Benin Republic in their quest to
seal an automatic ticket to the World Cup.

Zaidu Sanusi also replaces Bruno Onyeamaechi in the
left-back position, while Samuel Chukwueze steps in for Ademola Lookman, who is
suspended due to card accumulation.

Simon Moses, Wilfred Ndidi, Alex Iwobi, Frederick Benjamin
and Stanley Nwabali all reprised their roles from the previous game.

The Super Eagles will face the Benin Republic at the
Godswill Akpabio Stadium at 5 pm.

Nigeria sits third in Group C with 14 points. The team must
defeat Benin Republic with a clean sheet or by a significant goal margin and
hope South Africa fail to get three points against Rwanda to guarantee an
automatic ticket.

More of the permutations and scenarios are explained here.

Super Eagles Starting XI: Stanley Nwabali, Semi Ajayi,
Benjamin Fredrick, Calvin Bassey, Zaidu Sanusi; Wilfred Ndidi (C), Alex Iwobi;
Moses Simon, Samuel Chukwueze, Akor Adams, Victor Osimhen.