Nigeria’s Super Eagles will make another trip to Russia in October, with head coach Éric Chelle handing several emerging players an opportunity as he names a 24-man squad for the international friendly against Russia.
The encounter is scheduled for Tuesday, October 6, 2026, at the Nizhny Novgorod Stadium, coming just a week after Nigeria’s 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Guinea-Bissau.
Chelle has taken a different approach for the friendly, opting against simply carrying the same squad from the AFCON qualifiers into the Russia fixture. Instead, the coach has used the occasion to widen his selection pool and assess players competing for places in the senior national team.
Super Eagles captain Wilfred Ndidi headlines the squad, alongside goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali, midfielder Raphael Onyedika and forwards Moses Simon and Akor Adams.
Defenders Bright Osayi-Samuel and Benjamin Fredricks are also included, providing a blend of international experience and younger talent.
New names get their chance
One of the biggest talking points from the squad is the number of players receiving an opportunity to make an impression at senior level.
Among those called up are Samuel James, Victory Akpe, Chibuzo Nwoko, Stephen Michael, Igor Wilfred, Ridwan Abdulrasaq, Suleiman Mubarak, Peter Edokpolor, Abubakar Umar and Abdullahi Umar.
Chelle’s selection also creates room for domestic-based players to showcase their abilities on the international stage.
Michael Atata, Kenneth Igboke and Aderemi Adeoye, who all represent clubs in the Nigeria Premier Football League, have earned places in the squad after their involvement with the Unity Cup-winning side earlier this year.
Their inclusion provides another opportunity for NPFL players to demonstrate their readiness for international football.
Super Eagles renew rivalry with Russia
The October fixture will be Nigeria and Russia’s second meeting in just over a year.
The teams last faced each other at the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow on June 6, 2025, sharing a 1-1 draw.
Russia took the lead through a Semi Ajayi own goal, but Nigeria responded in the second half when Tolu Arokodare found the equaliser.
The rematch gives Chelle another opportunity to test his players against European opposition while experimenting with different combinations and assessing the depth available to him.
Russia head coach Valery Karpin has also spoken positively about Nigeria’s quality, identifying the Super Eagles among the stronger opponents his team will face during the international window.
Osimhen, Lookman among notable absentees
Unlike the squad selected for the AFCON qualifiers, several of Nigeria’s established stars are not included in the Russia-bound group.
Victor Osimhen, Ademola Lookman and Alex Iwobi are among the prominent names left out of the friendly squad.
The decision allows Chelle to examine players who have been on the fringes of the national team while also managing his squad across a demanding international period.
For the younger players, the Russia fixture represents more than a friendly. It provides an opportunity to make a strong impression and potentially force their way into future Super Eagles selections.
Full 24-man Super Eagles squad for Russia
Goalkeepers
- Michael Atata — Ikorodu City
- Samuel James — SJK FC, Finland
- Stanley Nwabali — Chippa United, South Africa
Defenders
- Kenneth Igboke — Enugu Rangers
- Isaac James — Alverca FC, Portugal
- Benjamin Fredricks — Brentford FC, England
- Emmanuel Fernandez — Glasgow Rangers, Scotland
- Victory Akpe — FC Basel, Switzerland
- Bright Osayi-Samuel — Birmingham FC, England
- Abdullahi Bewene — FC Banik Ostrava, Czechia
Midfielders
- Wilfred Ndidi — Besiktas FC, Turkey
- Raphael Onyedika — Eintracht Frankfurt, Germany
- Chibuzo Nwoko — Fulham FC, England
- Stephen Michael — Vendsyssel FF, Denmark
- Igor Wilfred — Kristiansund FC, Norway
- Ridwan Abdulrasaq — Al Wasl, UAE
- Suleiman Mubarak — Slavia Prague, Czechia
- Aderemi Adeoye — Ikorodu City
Forwards
- Kelechi Iheanacho — Bursaspor FC, Turkey
- Moses Simon — Paris FC, France
- Akor Adams — Venezia FC, Italy
- Peter Edokpolor — SL Benfica, Portugal
- Abubakar Umar — FC Famalicao, Portugal
- Abdullahi Umar — Hradec Kralove, Czechia
The Russia friendly will round off a busy period for Nigeria, following the Super Eagles’ opening 2027 AFCON qualifiers against Madagascar on September 25 and Guinea-Bissau on September 29.
For Chelle, the October 6 encounter offers another platform to expand his options, test new combinations and give emerging players valuable exposure against an experienced Russian side.
