Nigeria’s Super Eagles will take on Russia on Friday in a rare international friendly that offers more than just bragging rights — it’s a key part of the team’s preparation for upcoming qualifiers, according to head coach Eric Chelle.
The match, scheduled for 8:00 p.m. Moscow time at the iconic Luzhniki Stadium, marks the first meeting between the two countries in over two decades. Despite being labelled a friendly, Chelle insists the game is anything but casual.
“Tomorrow’s game is a friendly, but we have serious goals: firstly, we want to win, secondly, to prepare for the next tournaments and qualifying matches,” Chelle said during a press conference in Moscow.
Nigeria will be without several of its top stars, including Victor Osimhen, Ademola Lookman, Samuel Chukwueze, Wilfred Ndidi, and Nathan Tella. While their absence has raised eyebrows, Chelle explained each case.
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“Lookman and Osimhen weren’t in the team for the match with Russia because they had a very long season and they need a rest,” he said. “Moreover, they have important decisions to make in this transfer window. It is important for me that the players, while in the national team, are 100% focused on its tasks.
“Tella had visa issues, Chukwueze had family reasons, and Ndidi suffered an injury that prevented him from coming,” he added.
Even without some of its biggest names, Chelle believes the team is ready for the challenge.
“We know that the Russian national team is a very strong team. It has many high-class players, they demonstrate an intense, aggressive and technically equipped game,” he said. “Now I am thinking about how to build a plan for the upcoming match.”
With Osimhen again in the spotlight after a stellar season for Galatasaray, where he won the Turkish league and emerged the best player, Chelle praised the striker’s but steered clear of transfer talk.
“Victor Osimhen is one of the best strikers in the world,” he said. “I have not discussed his transfer issues with him, but I know that many clubs around the world, including England and Saudi Arabia, are interested. For me, the main thing is that he is in good shape and continues to score.”
Friday’s clash in Moscow offers Nigeria not just a chance to test their depth, but also to build momentum ahead of crucial World Cup qualifiers later in the year.
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