Nigeria’s coach, Stephen Keshi, is not in the mood to gamble as the continent counts down to this evening’s Africa Cup of Nations semi-final duel between the Super Eagles and the Eagles of Mali.

Information seeping in from Durban, South Africa, has it that the Big Boss – as Keshi is affectionately called by admirers – has lined up the same starting eleven that demolished pre-tournament favourites the Elephants of Ivory Coast two days ago.

That means that skipper Joseph Yobo stays on the bench despite having expressed his wish to start today.

It also means that Lazio of Italy youngster Ogenyi Onazi retains his place despite the fact that the more experienced Fegor Ogude, for whom he stood in due to the latter’s one-match suspension, is free to return to action.

Onazi and co had showed unusual grit in Sunday’s quarter-final, beating star-studded Ivory Coast 2-1.

“Onazi did a wonderful job,” Keshi had said after the match.

The war of the eagles is billed for 4pm Nigerian time at the Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban while Ghana and Burkina Faso clash from 7:30 pm in the second semi-final at Mbombela Stadium in Nelspruit.

Super Eagles’ Starting XI

•Vincent Enyeama

•Elderson Echeijile

•Efe Ambrose

•Godfrey Oboabona

•Kenneth Omeruo

•Ogenyi Onazi

•Mikel Obi

•Sunday Mba

•Victor Moses

•Emmanuel Emenike (second right in photo)

•Brown Ideye