Eric Chelle has three training sessions to repair the damage inflicted on the Super Eagles by Guinea-Bissau before Nigeria face Russia in Tuesday’s international friendly at the 44,000-capacity Nizhny Novgorod Stadium, Footynaija reports.
Seventeen players trained on Saturday afternoon after the squad arrived in Russia on Friday. The friendly will be the Super Eagles’ first game since the 3-0 AFCON 2027 qualifying defeat in Bissau on September 29.
The coach has Sunday and Monday to reshape his team before the October 6 encounter, with the sessions carrying added significance after Franculino Djú, Mama Baldé and Álvaro Djaló condemned Nigeria to their heaviest defeat against African opposition since the 5-1 loss to Algeria at the 1990 AFCON.
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Moses Simon, who has 101 international caps, Stanley Nwabali, Benjamin Fredrick, Emmanuel Fernandez, Kelechi Iheanacho and Akor Adams were among those involved in the opening workout. Chibuzo Nwoko and Popoola Abdulrasaq have also joined camp.
Chelle’s squad has already been altered by withdrawals. Captain Wilfred Ndidi pulled out, while Victory Akpe suffered an injury in training. John Otomewo and Vince Osuji were subsequently drafted in as replacements.
The Russia friendly offers Nigeria breathing space away from the pressure of AFCON qualification, but the stakes are still clear. Guinea-Bissau lead Group L with six points, while Nigeria have three after beating Madagascar 2-1 four days before the Bissau disaster.
Nigeria’s last meeting with Russia ended 1-1 in Moscow in June 2025, when Semi Ajayi scored an own goal before Tolu Arokodare equalised. Russia enjoyed 58 per cent possession and registered 10 shots to Nigeria’s six that night.
Chelle now has 48 hours of training to demand a very different response.
