Nigeria’s coach, Eric Chelle, has not lost in five matches. This sets a possible tone for Nigeria’s next four crucial World Cup qualifying matches.

On Friday, the Super Eagles came from behind to secure a 1–1 draw. It was their first-ever senior international match against Russia. They showed resilience despite the absence of several key players.

Fresh off their Unity Cup triumph in London, the Super Eagles were missing several stars. Key players like Victor Osimhen, Alex Iwobi, Ademola Lookman, and Ola Aina were not present. Their absence gave fringe players a chance to shine.

Tolu Arokodare emerged as the standout performer. He scored a well-taken equaliser in the second half.

Tolu Arokodare put Nigeria on level terms with Russia

Russia played their first home match in months. This was due to ongoing FIFA and UEFA suspensions. They took the lead in the 29th minute. A dangerous cross from Danil Krugovoy deflected off Semi Ajayi into his own net.

Ironically, Ajayi had helped force an own goal for Nigeria just a week earlier against Ghana.

Despite limited clear-cut chances, Nigeria nearly equalised before halftime, but Fisayo Dele-Bashiru was denied by a brilliant save from PSG goalkeeper Matvey Safonov.

Russia should have gone 2–0 up after the break when Viktor Melekhin missed a gilt-edged opportunity. That miss proved costly as substitute Arokodare capitalised on a rare error from Safonov to draw Nigeria level.

The hosts pressed for a winner. Maduka Okoye produced two superb stops to preserve the draw. One stop was a fingertip save from Aleksey Batrakov. Dmitri Barinov also squandered a late chance, firing over from close range.

The result ends Russia’s eight-game winning streak since October 2023. Nigeria will take heart from a strong performance. They look ahead to their 2026 World Cup qualifiers against Rwanda and South Africa.

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In what is their first ever confrontation with Russia at senior level, the Super Eagles will be seeking to sustain a momentum that has seen them play four matches without a defeat.

They are fresh from winning a four-nation Unity Cup in London last week as a follow-up to two World Cup qualifying matches against Rwanda and Zimbabwe. This Friday, they confront Russia at the iconic Luzhniki Stadium, the venue of both the opening and final matches of the 2018 FIFA World Cup.

Though Russia has been absent from competitive fixtures since February 2022 due to international sanctions, the team has remained active in friendly matches, most recently thrashing Zambia 5-0 at Moscow’s VTB Arena on March 25, stretching their winning streak to eight games.

The Eagles at a training session in Moscow on Wednesday.

With this evening’s game, extend the winning streak to nine? Will Nigeria have a five-match unbeaten run to build the momentum towards their next World Cup qualifying duel at home with Rwanda?

Nigeria’s journey this year has also been impressive. The Eagles beat Rwanda 2-0 in Kigali in a World Cup qualifier on March 21, drew 1-1 with Zimbabwe at home four days later, and defeated Ghana 2-1 before outlasting Jamaica on penalties after a 2-2 draw to lift the Unity Cup in London on May 31.

Franco-Malian coach Eric Chelle will field a squad aiming to solidify the team’s rhythm ahead of two crucial 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers in September: at home to Rwanda and away to South Africa’s Bafana Bafana, the current group leaders.

Though the squad is missing key names like Victor Osimhen, Ademola Lookman, and Samuel Chukwueze, Chelle retains a solid core.

Maduka Okoye is expected in goal, with defenders William Ekong, Bright Osayi-Samuel, Semi Ajayi, Bruno Onyemaechi, Igoh Ogbu, and Benjamin Fredericks in contention for starting roles.

In midfield, options include Frank Onyeka, Fisayo Dele-Bashiru, Raphael Onyedika, Christantus Uche, Papa Daniel, and Saviour Isaac.

Up front, expectations rest on Simon Moses and Tolu Arokodare, while Olakunle Olusegun, who plays in Russia for Krasnodar FC, hopes to make his international debut on familiar turf.

Now, the Super Eagles aim to write their chapter in Moscow—by extending their unbeaten run and proving they’re ready for the battles ahead on the road to 2026.

The encounter will kick off at 8 pm Russia time (6 pm Nigeria).

SUPER EAGLES FOR RUSSIA FRIENDLY:

Goalkeepers: Maduka Okoye (Udinese FC, Italy); Amas Obasogie (Singida

Blackstars, Tanzania)

Defenders: William Ekong (Al-Kholood FC, Saudi Arabia); Bright

Osayi-Samuel (Fenerbahce SK, Turkey); Bruno Onyemaechi (Olympiacos FC,

Greece); Oluwasemilogo Ajayi (West Bromwich Albion, England); Igoh Ogbu

(SK Slavia Prague, Czech Republic); Sodiq Ismaila (Remo Stars); Benjamin

Fredericks (Brentford FC, England)

Midfielders: Frank Onyeka (Augsburg FC, Germany); Raphael Onyedika (Club

Brugge, Belgium); Fisayo Dele-Bashiru (Lazio FC, Italy); Christantus

Uche (Getafe CF, Spain); Papa Daniel Mustapha (Niger Tornadoes); Saviour

Isaac (Enugu Rangers)

Forwards: Victor Boniface (Bayer Leverkusen, Germany); Simon Moses (FC

Nantes, France); Tolu Arokodare (KRC Genk, Belgium); Olakunle Olusegun

(Krasnodar FC, Russia); Sikiru Alimi (Remo Stars)

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Brazil must help Vinicius Jr rediscover the form he has displayed at Real Madrid, new national team coach Carlo Ancelotti said on June 4.

Ancelotti, who guided the Spanish giants to several titles alongside the Brazilian forward, including two Champions League triumphs and two La Liga crowns, said that the player’s unique ability to unsettle opposing defences made him a vital asset.

“I don’t know if he’s been at his best here, but he has time to do what he does at Real Madrid,” he said ahead of Brazil’s World Cup qualifier against Ecuador on Thursday – his first match in charge of the Selecao.

“For us, he’s a fundamental player. We have to work to ensure he performs at his best here.”

Vinicius made his World Cup debut in Qatar in 2022 and has been a regular during their qualifying campaign for the 2026 tournament. However, the 24-year-old has struggled for form with the national team, falling short of his usual standards at Real.

Regarding his tactical approach, Ancelotti stated that he aims to field a compact, balanced team.

“I don’t want a team with a clear identity. We have to defend well, whether it’s 4-3-3 or 4-4-2. We have to defend together and use creativity with the ball,” the Italian said.

“Individual quality is not enough today; you have to combine it with attitude, drive and commitment.”

He did not reveal his starting line-up for his debut as coach, but Ancelotti did have words of praise for 18-year-old Estevao Willian, who is leaving Palmeiras for Chelsea and has been tipped for a bright future with the national team.

Said Ancelotti: “He’s got a special talent… he’s got character, he’s a good person, he’s humble, and he seems fine to me, but with a young player we have to be patient and careful.

“He has the characteristics to be very important for the future of the national team.”

Brazil are fourth in the standings in the South American World Cup qualifiers, while their opponents Ecuador are second, behind world champions Argentina. The top six qualify directly for the World Cup.

They will host Paraguay in Sao Paulo next week and could secure an early spot at the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Mexico and Canada.

Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni, meanwhile, said he had yet to decide whether captain Lionel Messi would start in their next qualifier against Chile, as he continues to closely monitor the 37-year-old’s fitness.

With their place at the Finals already secured, Argentina travel to bottom-placed Chile on June 5 without several regulars and with Messi’s role uncertain.

“We’ve been in contact (with Messi) recently. We haven’t decided yet whether he’ll play from the start or not. It would be good to know how he’s feeling physically,” Scaloni said.

“In principle, he’s available to play, and we’ll decide later.”

With a number of key players sidelined by injury or suspension, Scaloni called it a chance to test new talent ahead of their World Cup title defence next summer.

“We’re going to have a lot of players out. If some of the guys we call up are fit and ready to play, they’ll get their chance,” he said.

“I don’t have the starting eleven confirmed yet, but we will give some playing time to players who haven’t played much and who we believe are ready to play.

“Although the result is always important, we don’t think it’s crucial today. We’ll probably try to help these players settle in and give them the chance to get some playing time with the team.”

-Reuters

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