The Super Eagles of Nigeria will face Russia in an international friendly match today in Nizhny Novgorod. Coach Eric Chelle will field a highly-changed team due to the absence of several key players, including Victor Osimhen, Alex Iwobi, and Wilfred Ndidi, who withdrew from the squad due to injury or their clubs' refusal to allow them to travel. As a result, Chelle has had to hurriedly invite new players to complete the squad.
The Super Eagles had their final training session at the 45,000-capacity Nizhny Novgorod Stadium last night, in preparation for the game slated to start at 8:00 p.m. Nigerian time. The regular players in the team include Moses Simon, Akor Adams, Stanley Nwabali, Benjamin Frederick, and the returning Kelechi Iheanacho. The new players to complete the squad are Emmanuel Fernandez, Wilfred Igor, Samuel James, Kenneth Igboke, and Chibuzor Nwoko, among others.
Despite the loss of his regular starters, Coach Chelle is optimistic that the new players will rise to the occasion and show Nigerians that they deserve to become regulars in the team. Russia, on the other hand, showed their strength in another friendly game on Saturday, thrashing Namibia 6-0. However, Chelle is not fazed by that result and wants his team to do better than they did in their earlier game against Russia last year.
Forward Akor Adams said that Chelle has told them to use today's game to appease Nigerians who are still peeved by the 3-0 defeat the Super Eagles suffered in Guinea-Bissau last week. Adams emphasized that the team is determined to give their best and make Nigerians proud. He also acknowledged that Russia is a very good team, but the Super Eagles are ready for the challenge.
Nigeria and Russia last met in June 2025, when they drew 1-1 in Moscow. Tolu Arokodare scored Nigeria's equaliser after Semi Ajayi's own goal had given the hosts the lead. Adams said the players are conscious of the responsibility to deliver both a positive result and an improved performance, knowing that Nigerians are watching and love the Super Eagles.
Kelechi Iheanacho, one of the longest-serving players in the squad, sees the game as an opportunity to show Nigerians that he is still a player they can rely on. Iheanacho, who now plays in the Turkish second division for Bursaspor, stressed that representing Nigeria has always been a privilege, regardless of the level or importance of the competition.
Iheanacho has been in the Super Eagles for a long time, starting from the U-12 and U-13 teams, and has always been committed to the national team. He emphasized that his commitment has never depended on the stature of the competition, and he is ready to give his best in today's game against Russia.
Key points
- Coach Eric Chelle will field a highly-changed team due to the absence of several key players.
- The Super Eagles are determined to give a good performance and make Nigerians proud.
- Kelechi Iheanacho sees the game as an opportunity to show Nigerians that he is still a player they can rely on.
