Super Eagles caretaker coach Augustine Eguavoen has clarified his decision to replace debutant Gabriel Osho at half-time in the match against Benin Republic, Nigeriasoccernet.com reports.
Osho, 25, started alongside captain William Troost-Ekong and Calvin Bassey in defence but was substituted at the interval with the Super Eagles trailing 1-0.
Eguavoen told Eagle7fm Sports Radio: "Osho is a very good player, who I have been following. I told him he would start against Benin in the absence of Semi Ajayi."
The coach explained that Osho's substitution was tactical, rather than a reflection on his performance.
"He trained only once and then played. He was substituted not because he was not playing well, but because I reverted to a back four to try and get something from the game," Eguavoen said.
By Olujimi Dare Ogun