Izuchukwu Okosi
Three-time African champions Nigeria will face the Russian national team in a friendly at the 78,000 Luzniski Stadium Friday evening with the ultimate ambition of maintaining an unbeaten run against all opposition this year and integrating new players into the team.
Despite a poor 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign, the Eagles have not lost a game in the year.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelFresh from winning the Unity Cup tournament in London, the Super Eagles are poised to continue their buildup ahead of the commencement of the World Cup qualifiers in September by integrating some new players into the fold.
The Eagles are fourth in their World Cup qualification table and there is a renewed hope that the team under Eric Chelle would turn a corner.
Combination of injuries and withdrawals have conspired to see that some regulars in the team would not be part of today’s game.
Stanley Nwabali is bereaved following the heartbreaking deaths of his parents within the space of a month with the funerals set to hold soon.
The Chippa United goalkeeper was gifted the sum of N5M by Afrobeats superstar David Adeleke (Davido) as a gesture of support in his trying moments.
READ ALSO: Russia Friendly: Chelle Joggles, Unveils New Super Eagles Squad
Reigning African Footballer of the Year Ademola Lookman, Victor Osimhen, Samuel Chukwueze and Wilfred Ndidi are also set to miss the friendly tonight.
However Udinese keeper Maduka Okoye is expected to be in between the stick at the iconic stadium at the expense of Tanzania-based Omas Obasogie.
In defence, Bright Osayi-Samuel is expected to marshal the right back position in the absence of Ola Aina while Bruno Onyemaechi will play in the left back role.
Captain William Troost-Ekong who missed the Unity Cup tournament in London is back for the game and could be partnered by Semilore Ajayi who was hi partner on central defence at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations where they were losing finalists.
A rich midfield cast includes Frank Onyeka, Fisayo Dele-Bashiru, Raphael
Onyedika, Christantus Uche, Papa Daniel and Saviour Isaac.
Fulham forward Alex Iwobi is not part of the team for the Unity Cup and the friendly in Moscow.
In attack, much will be expected of Simon Moses and Tolu Arokodare,
as Krasnodar FC’s former junior international Olakunle Olusegun hopes
fervently for his first senior cap.
The iconic Luzhniki Stadium hosted the 2018 FIFA World Cup Final, in
which France defeated Croatia 4-2.
During the competition, Russia defeated Saudi Arabia 5-0 in the group phase, and also eliminated Spain
4-3 after penalty shootout in the Round of 16, at the same venue.
Friday’s encounter will kick off at 8pm Russia time (6pm Nigeria).
Izuchukwu Okosi is a Nigerian sports and entertainment journalist with two decades of experience in the media industry having begun his media journey in 2002 as an intern at Mundial Sports International (MSI) and Africa Independent Television (AIT), owners of Daar Communications Plc.
