n the first- ever encounter between both teams, the Super Eagles of Nigeria were courageous/ audacious enough to frustrate the victory run of the Russian national team on home soil thus far, by eeking- out a draw against the rampaging hosts ; and in the process, spoilt their rugged defensive record by scoring against them, for the first time in so many matches !

The Super Eagles began the match in the characteristic 4-4-2 formation of Coach Eric Chelle. They had a decent percentage of ball possession but failed to create a decent chance for the greater part of the first half, because of lack of creativity in their mid-field play ; until the much later stages of the first half; a chance which was saved by the Russian goalkeeper, or, rather, missed by Fisayo Dele- Bashiru! This, was, however, after the Russians had gone one up, around midway into the first half.

The Super Eagles trailed 1-0 at half time.

In the second half, we saw a rejuvenated Super Eagles team, that played the "high pressing" game, a characteristic tactical option of Coach Eric Chelle's ; as well as played the " high - line " - playing higher upfield in block closer to the opponents' territory.

These tactical rejuvenations and re-alignments yielded the much-needed fruits, as the Super Eagles took the game to the opponents in a much more daring manner - with creation of chances etc!

Coach Eric Chelle, further rejuvenated the team with the introduction of Tolu Arokodare; who in the relatively fewer minutes he played, virtually personified the Super Eagles' high pressing game! He ceaselessly tormented the Russians with incessant pressing and pressure. And in a rather rare careless display of defensive laxity by the Russian goalkeeper, Tolu Arokodare, exploited his uncanny predatory instinct to slot home Nigeria's equaliser !

The 1-1 score line was deserved by the Super Eagles of Nigeria!

How did the players perform in the 4-4-2 formation of Coach Eric Chelle ?

Goalkeeper Maduka Okoye, was world class in that match. And deserves the "Man-of-the-match " accolade! Kudos to him!

The four-man defence:

Bright Osayi-Samuel, was at right-back. He had an average game. The goal scored by the Russians came from a defensive weakness on his part as right-back. He failed to deal with the left- wing Russian offensive.

Bruno Onyemaechi had a decent game as left-back.

Skipper William Troost-Ekong, at centre-half back, had a decent performance.

Semi Ajayi, at left-half back, was good.

The mid-field:

Frank Onyeaka and Raphael Onyeadika, were the defensive tandem of the mid-field; and they did a good job breaking the Russian game !

The offensive mid-field duo of Chrisantus Uche and Dele Fisayo Bashiru, woke up to their responsibility as creative mid-fielders in the second half. And, eventually, had a decent performance.

The attack:

The striking partnership of Simon Moses and Victor Boniface, were largely anonymous in the first half; save for the final pass given by Victor Boniface to Dele Fisayo Bashiru, at the tail end of the first half, that nearly resulted in a Nigerian goal!

The substitutes:

The most conspicuous of them was Tolu Arokodare, for earlier-stated reasons! However, we are grateful to Olusegun Olakunle and Igoh Ogbuh, for the efforts they made for the time period they were on display.

It must be noted that Coach Eric Chelle, replaced Dele Fisayo-Bashiru, a mid-fielder, with Igoh Ogbuh , a defender ! This was in the dying minutes of the game, when the Super Eagles needed to maintain the 1-1 scoreline!

This shows that Coach Eric Chelle is a listening coach, who has hearkened to the voice of reason, in the aftermath of the costly substitution blunder against Zimbabwe on home soil, in March, 2025.

Conclusion:

The Russian friendly closed the 3-match friendly series for the Super Eagles in May/June 2025. Coach Eric Chelle can now appraise his team and make the necessary re-adjustments before the World cup qualifiers in September.

We continue to wish the Super Eagles of Nigeria all the best.

UP SUPER EAGLES ! UP NIGERIA !!!!!!!