Super Eagles coach Eric Chelle plans to field his strongest squad for Nigeria’s historic friendly against Russia in June. The team will also compete in a four-nation tournament in England, preparing for crucial 2026 World Cup qualifiers against Rwanda and South Africa in September.
Super Eagles coach Eric Chelle has confirmed that he will field his strongest squad for Nigeria's upcoming friendly match against Russia in June. This historic encounter will be the first-ever meeting between the two nations at the senior international level. Chelle stated that he would rely on the core players from recent matches, including the fixtures against Rwanda and Zimbabwe, to strengthen the team's performance in this highly anticipated match.
In addition to the Russia friendly, the Super Eagles will also compete in a four-nation invitational tournament in England. The tournament will include rival teams such as Ghana, Jamaica, and Trinidad & Tobago. Chelle plans to use this opportunity to evaluate several fringe players and potential newcomers to the squad.
This international break will serve as a critical preparation phase for Nigeria as they approach crucial 2026 World Cup qualifiers. The Super Eagles are set to play away games against Rwanda and South Africa in September. Currently, Nigeria sits fourth in the group with seven points from six matches, and they need to perform strongly to keep their World Cup hopes alive.
