Friendly: Simon To Lead Second-String Super Eagles Against Russia

Moses Simon is set to captain a new-look Super Eagles side when Nigeria take on Russia in an international friendly next Tuesday.

The Paris FC winger was among the Nigerian players who left the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja on Thursday night for Moscow ahead of the encounter.

Home-based players Chibuzor Atata, Aderemi Adeoye and Kenneth Igboke were also included in the travelling squad. With captain Wilfred Ndidi withdrawing from the game, Simon is now the most experienced player in the team and is expected to provide leadership.

Head coach Éric Chelle has selected a combination of established players and fresh faces as he continues to assess his options ahead of Nigeria’s upcoming international assignments.

Goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali is included alongside defenders Emmanuel Fernandez, Benjamin Fredrick and Bright Osayi-Samuel. Raphael Onyedika and Akor Adams are also part of the squad.

Chelle has also recalled experienced forward Kelechi Iheanacho, who has made a positive start to his time with Turkish club Bursaspor. Several players, including Akpe Victory, Suleiman Mubarak, Peter Edokpolor, Abdullahi Umar and Chibuzo Nwoko, are in line to make their senior international debuts.

ALSO READ

• Super Eagles: It’s Foolishness – Odemwingie Slams Ighalo Over Osimhen Transfer Advice
• AFCON Qualifiers: ‘You Can’t Step Up’ – Ikpeba Slams 3 Super Eagles Stars After Guinea-Bissau Defeat

The match will be played at the Nizhny Novgorod Stadium and will be Nigeria and Russia’s second meeting in 16 months.