Port Said, Egypt (PANA) - Contrary to his initial plan to retain the team that piped the Ghana Black Stars 1-0 in the opening Group D match at the Africa Nations Cup (CAN) Monday, Nigerian coach Austin Eguavoen has made a slight change to the Super Eagles line-up for Friday's match against Zimbabwe.

After the team's final work out Thursday, the coach told PANA that striker John Utaka would start off against the Warriors of Zimbabwe, with Osaze Odinwingie, (Lillie of France,) who played in the opening match on the bench.

Eguavoen said Utaka "has shown that he is ready to prove himself if given the chance," and "I have spoken with Odinwingie in this regard."

On his match plan, the coach said: "We have to be a little bitcareful in the beginning and after we are sure to have taken full control of the match we can then we put more men in the attack."

Eguavoen explained that he registered only six defenders for the competition because he came with players who could switch positions.

The coach, a hard defender in his days in the national team, has been criticised for failing to beef-up the Eagles defence, while strikers and midfielders dominate his 23-man squad.

"You know I have Taye Taiwo who can play in the centre if the need arises, while Chidi Odiah can play from both flanks, and same thing goes with Yusuf Ayila, who can play in the midfield and also as a defender, while Garba Lawal, who naturally was registered as a midfielder can be converted to a defender in time of need," Eguavoen explained.

Following is his starting line-up against Zimbabwe Friday:

1-Vincent Enyeama
2-Chidi Odiah
3-Taye Taiwo
4-Joseph Enakhaire
5-Joseph Yobo
6-Yusuf Ayila
7-John Utaka
8-Christian Obodo
9-Obafemi Martins
10-Wilson Oruma and,
11-Julius Aghahowa