World Cup 2018 - Super Eagles' XI v Croatia: Rohr picks Abdullahi over Ebuehi

Super Eagles manager Gernot Rohr has kept faith in Shehu Abdullahi for the right-back role in Nigeria's FIFA World Cup curtain-raiser against European side Croatia, leaving out the much craved for Tyronne Ebuehi.

Uzoho keeps his place between the sticks while Leon Balogun has passed a late fitness test to partner Willaim Troost-Ekong in the heart of the defence.Elsewhere, Brian Idowu who started the Eagles' last warm-up clash against the Czech Republic gets the nod ahead of the experienced Elderson Echiejile.

John Obi Mikel is partnered in the midfield by Oghenekaro Etebo and Leicester City star Wilfred Ndidi who has missed some of the team's pre-World Cup fixtures returns to thestarting line-up for the West Africans.

Alex Iwobi and Victor Moses flank Odion Ighalo to the left and right respectively in a 4-3-3 formation deployed by the German tactician forthis encounter.