Chelle Challenges New-Look Eagles To Impress Against Russia

Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle has challenged his players to return to winning ways when Nigeria face Russia in Tuesday’s international friendly at the Nizhny Novgorod Stadium.

Nigeria will be looking to bounce back from their disappointing 3-0 defeat to Guinea-Bissau in the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.

Chelle, however, will have to contend with a depleted squad, with captain Wilfred Ndidi and Victory Akpe among those unavailable, while some players were not released by their clubs.

Moses Usor was called up but could not travel after LASK instructed him to remain with the club, while Suleiman Mubarak missed the trip because of residence permit issues.

Despite the absences, Chelle insists the players in camp are highly motivated and determined to make the most of the opportunity against the Europeans.

‘Some clubs don’t want the players to come, so we have to manage the situation. We lost our last game, and the expectation for this game is to give the new players the opportunity to show what they can do,’ Chelle told reporters.

‘We are motivated. The players want to win, and they want to give their best for the jersey and the country.

‘This is not the same team. We lost the game against Guinea-Bissau because our intensity was not good. It’s going to be a different game.’