Super Eagles coach Stephen Keshi is expected to make wholesale changes to his starting team for this night’s friendly against Italy.

Second choice goalkeeper Austin Ejide is likely to start ahead of first choice goalie Vincent Enyeama, according to KickoffNigeria.com.

The match is scheduled for 8:40 p.m. at the Craven Cottage in London.

“The Italians are without Juventus defender, Andrea Barzagli. He is ruled out with a thigh injury and has returned to Italy to join up with his club,” reports supersport.com.

“For Nigeria, Obinna Nsofor is a surprise exclusion. The Russian-based forward has been ruled out of the international friendly after suffering a knock in the game against Ethiopia. He is expected to undergo a scan on Monday,” supersport adds.

The Super Eagles played Ethiopia in a 2014 Fifa World Cup qualifier which they won 2-0 on Saturday afternoon, then flew to London on Sunday ahead of the meeting with the former world champions.

As reported by kickoffnigeria: “Most of the players who did not play against Ethiopia are expected to get a run out.

“Cold weather and jetlag forced the squad to skip a scheduled training session on Sunday, but they were on the ground early this morning to limber up.

“While a sprinkling of regulars like Godfrey Oboabona, Ogenyi Onazi and John Mikel Obi are expected to start, the rest of the team could wear a new look.

“Strikers Bright Dike and Shola Ameobi could get a run, with Solomon Kwambe and Benjamin Francis also eying spots in the starting XI against a similarly experimental Italy side.”

On July 5, 1994, the Italians downed the Super Eagles 2-1 in the round of 16 at the FIFA World Cup in the USA. Many Nigerians will not forget how the Eagles were two minutes away from a famous upset after Emmanuel Amuneke had scored first before Roberto Baggio equalised and then scored the winner in extra time.

Interestingly, Nigeria head coach, Stephen Keshi and his assistant, Daniel Amokachi were part of the 1994 set.

“There’s no plan for a revenge. It’s a test game for the team and we will treat it as such. At the same, we’ll take it serious,” Keshi said to supersport.com.

•Photo shows Austin Ejide in action.

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