Nigeria will take on Russia today in a high-profile international friendly at the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow, Soccernet.ng reports.
Although Russia remains indefinitely suspended from FIFA and UEFA competitions following the country’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine, their national team has been active in a series of friendly matches.
The Russians are in devastating form — winning their last seven games, scoring 36 goals, and conceding none. They will be confident of adding Nigeria to that growing list of victims.
However, Eric Chelle and his Super Eagles will be eager to avoid defeat in what is the first-ever senior international meeting between the two nations.
Chelle’s preparations have been hampered by several high-profile absentees.
Star forwards Victor Osimhen and Ademola Lookman are unavailable, along with Ola Aina, Wilfred Ndidi, Cyriel Dessers, Kelechi Iheanacho, Samuel Chukwueze, Sadiq Umar, and Nathan Tella.
Chukwueze and Iheanacho have pulled out for family reasons, while Umar is sidelined through injury. Tella, meanwhile, is currently renewing his UK passport, making him ineligible for this tie.
As a result, Chelle has named a reworked frontline, featuring Victor Boniface, Moses Simon, and Tolu Arokodare. Russia-based Olakunle Olusegun, a former Nigeria U-20 star, has also been called up and could make an appearance on familiar turf.
In goal, Stanley Nwabali has returned to Nigeria for his parents’ final burial rites, paving the way for either Maduka Okoye or Amas Obasogie to start.
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Nigeria’s probable starting XI vs Russia
Goalkeeper: Maduka Okoye (Udinese)
Okoye has been working hard to reclaim his spot as Nigeria’s No.1 and now gets his big chance in Nwabali’s absence.
A solid performance here could see the former Watford shot-stopper move ahead in the pecking order under Chelle.
Defence: Bright Osayi-Samuel, William Troost-Ekong, Semi Ajayi, Bruno Onyemaechi
With Ola Aina missing, Fenerbahçe’s Osayi-Samuel is the most likely candidate at right-back.
Captain Troost-Ekong, back in the fold after missing the Unity Cup, is expected to partner Semi Ajayi, who was imperious against Ghana in the Unity Cup semi-final.
At left-back, Chelle has few options after Felix Agu returned to Germany, meaning Bruno Onyemaechi should get the nod.
However, don’t rule out a tactical tweak — Sodiq Ismaila could come in at right-back, allowing Osayi-Samuel to shift to the left.
Midfield: Frank Onyeka, Raphael Onyedika, Moses Simon, Fisayo Dele-Bashiru
Chelle’s teams are known for tactical flexibility — during the Unity Cup, the Super Eagles seamlessly switched between 4-4-2, 4-2-3-1, and 4-3-3 setups.
In this match, Raphael Onyedika is likely to sit deep, freeing up Frank Onyeka to press and break up Russia’s rhythm. Further forward, Dele-Bashiru will look to create opportunities, while Simon may drift to the flank to combine with the forwards.
Attack: Christantus Uche, Victor Boniface
With Unity Cup star Cyriel Dessers absent, the goal-scoring burden now falls on Victor Boniface and Tolu Arokodare. Neither Boniface nor Arokodare has scored for Nigeria yet, but the Bayer Leverkusen striker is likely to get the nod up front.
Getafe’s Christantus Uche is expected to partner him. Strong, versatile, and physically dominant, Uche impressed in a brief cameo against Jamaica in the Unity Cup final and will look to cement his place in the squad.
His ability to link midfield and attack could be crucial to any Nigerian success in Moscow.
Nigeria (4-4-2):
Okoye; Osayi-Samuel, Ajayi, Troost-Ekong, Onyemaechi; Onyeka, Onyedika, Simon, Dele-Bashiru; Uche, Boniface.