Russia Sends Early Warning as 17 Super Eagles Train in Nizhny Novgorod
Russia have delivered an early warning to the Super Eagles ahead of Tuesday’s international friendly, dismantling Namibia 6–0 as Nigeria began preparations for the meeting with a 17-player training session in Nizhny Novgorod.
While Russia were putting six past Namibia in Yekaterinburg on Saturday, the Super Eagles were stepping up their own preparations in Nizhny Novgorod, where 17 players took part in the team’s first training session ahead of the October 6 encounter.
Among those involved were captain of the day Moses Simon, goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali, defenders Benjamin Fredricks and Emmanuel Fernandez, as well as forwards Kelechi Iheanacho and Akor Adams.
The session provided coach Éric Chelle with an opportunity to begin shaping his plans for a Russia side arriving with considerable confidence after their emphatic victory over Namibia.
Russia needed only a strong second-half performance to turn the friendly into a rout, scoring six times without reply and underlining the attacking threat Nigeria will face.
The result gives the hosts further momentum ahead of their second meeting with Nigeria at senior international level.
Their first encounter in June 2025 ended 1–1 in Moscow, with Tolu Arokodare scoring Nigeria’s equaliser after Russia had taken the lead.
Chelle Faces Fresh Selection Test
For Chelle, the Russia assignment is another chance to examine the depth of his squad and expose a number of players to a different level of international opposition.
The original squad has already undergone changes, with Wilfred Ndidi and Victory Akpe withdrawing from the fixture. Their places were taken by Tromsø defender Vince Osuji and Stade de Reims midfielder John Otomewo.
Bright Osayi-Samuel has also withdrawn, leaving Nigeria with 23 players available for the encounter.
The squad contains a blend of established internationals, emerging players and several footballers hoping to make an impression under the new coaching regime.
Super Eagles Squad
Goalkeepers
- Stanley Nwabali — Chippa United
- Michael Atata — Ikorodu City
- Samuel James — SJK, Finland
Defenders
- Benjamin Fredricks — Brentford
- Emmanuel Fernandez — Rangers
- Kenneth Igboke — Enugu Rangers
- Isaac James — Alverca
- Abdullahi Bewene — Baník Ostrava
- Vince Osuji — Tromsø
- John Otomewo — Stade de Reims
Midfielders
- Raphael Onyedika — Eintracht Frankfurt
- Chibuzo Nwoko — Fulham
- Stephen Michael — Vendsyssel FF
- Igor Wilfred — Kristiansund
- Ridwan Abdulrasaq — Al Wasl
- Suleiman Mubarak — Slavia Prague
- Aderemi Adeoye — Ikorodu City
Forwards
- Moses Simon — Paris FC
- Kelechi Iheanacho — Bursaspor
- Akor Adams — Venezia
- Peter Edokpolor — Benfica
- Abubakar Umar — Famalicão
- Abdullahi Umar — Hradec Králové
Russia Test Comes at a Crucial Time
The friendly comes at a delicate moment for the Super Eagles following their 3–0 defeat to Guinea-Bissau in the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.
Chelle will therefore be looking for more than experimentation in Nizhny Novgorod. The match offers an immediate opportunity for Nigeria to restore confidence, assess new combinations and test the readiness of players pushing for bigger roles.
Russia, however, have already shown that they will not provide a gentle examination.
Six goals against Namibia have ensured that the Super Eagles will enter Tuesday’s encounter fully aware of the attacking threat waiting on the other side.
For Nigeria, the response starts in Nizhny Novgorod.
