The Super Eagles cannot undo the damage of their 3-0 defeat to Guinea-Bissau in a friendly, but they can begin to change the mood around the team when they face Russia, with Dike Udi, a former Nigeria international, calling for a response that goes beyond simply testing new players, Footynaija.com reports.
Nigeria’s AFCON 2027 qualifying position will not change because of what happens against Russia. Guinea-Bissau have six points from their opening two games, while the Super Eagles have three after beating Madagascar before losing heavily in Bissau.
The timing of the friendly, however, gives Eric Chelle a useful chance to see how his squad reacts after a poor competitive performance. The coach had already separated his squads for the AFCON qualifiers and Russia fixture, with several players receiving their first senior invitation.
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The former Super Eagles midfielder believes the changes should not reduce the importance of the occasion.
“They have to use the Russia game to put smiles back on the faces of Nigerians,” he said.
For him, the friendly should serve two purposes. Chelle can assess new players and combinations, but the players must still approach the game with the intention of winning.
“Friendly games give you the opportunity to look at new players and try different things, but you still have to go there to win,” he maintained, per Sports 247.
That distinction matters for Nigeria after Bissau. The Russia game cannot repair the qualifying table, but it can give Chelle information about players who were not involved in the first two matches and show whether the wider squad can respond to a difficult night.
The two teams drew 1-1 in Moscow in June 2025, with Tolu Arokodare cancelling out Semi Ajayi’s own goal. The NFF says the October 6 meeting will be their second encounter in 16 months.
Russia also enter the game after beating Iran 2-0, while they are expected to make changes across the international window.
