Super Eagles Land in Russia for Friendly Match

The Super Eagles players and officials have touched down in Russia. They arrived on Friday for Nigeria's friendly match against the host nation on Tuesday. The Nigeria Football Federation confirmed their arrival.

The team left Abuja on Thursday. They landed at Nizhny Novgorod International Airport, also known as Strigino International Airport. The match is set to take place at the Nizhny Novgorod Stadium.

Most of the travelling group consists of backroom staff and players from the Nigeria Premier Football League. Head coach Eric Chelle did not come back with the team from Guinea-Bissau. He is expected to meet them directly in Russia. Most of the foreign-based players will arrive from their clubs straight to Russia.

Captain Wilfred Ndidi has pulled out of the friendly. With him missing, Moses Simon will step up as the most experienced player in the squad. He was part of the team that left Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja on Thursday night. Simon is expected to lead the new-look Super Eagles against the Russians.

Home-based players like Chibuzor Atata, Aderemi Adeoye, and Kenneth Igboke also made the trip. Coach Chelle has blended seasoned players with new talents to see his options for upcoming international duties.

Goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali is in the squad. Defenders Emmanuel Fernandez, Benjamin Fredrick, and Bright Osayi-Samuel will also be there. Raphael Onyedika and Akor Adams are part of the team.

Chelle has boosted the attack with the return of Kelechi Iheanacho. He has had a good start with his Turkish club Bursaspor.

Some players are set to make their debut in senior international football. Suleiman Mubarak, Peter Edokpolor, Abdullahi Umar, and Chibuzo Nwoko are among them.

Ndidi and Akpe Victory have been replaced by Vince Osuji and John Otomewo.

Chelle will use this match to evaluate several players as he prepares for the Under-23 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers in November.

Nigeria last played against Russia in a friendly in June 2025. The Super Eagles drew that match 1-1, with Tolu Arokodare scoring Nigeria’s equaliser. The upcoming match will be the second meeting between the two countries in 16 years. It is set to kick off at 6 PM Nigerian time, 5 PM GMT, and 8 PM Moscow time at the Nizhny Novgorod Stadium.