Ambassador wants repeat game in Nigeria

Super Eagles’ 3-3 draw with Russia on Tuesday has convinced Coach Eric Chelle that Nigeria has a good reservoir of talent to build a championship-winning team.  
 
Nigeria rallied from 3-1 down to hold Russia to a 3-3 draw despite playing with a squad comprising 90 per cent new players.
 
For the first time in over two years, the team played without the likes of Wilfred Ndidi, Alex Iwobi, Calvin Bassey, Victor Osimhen, Ademola Lookman and Samuel Chukwueze, among other regulars.
 
Chelle fielded nine promising players, including Samuel James, Isaac James, Stephen Michael, Wilfred Igor, Chibuzo Nwoko, Vince Osuji, Peter Edokpolor, Abdullahi Umar and Umar Abubakar.
  
Yet the team held Russia, ranked as the 35th best team in the world by FIFA, to a draw.
 
Nigeria is ranked 30th by FIFA.

Chelle had plenty to say about the contest itself after the Super Eagles escaped with a 3-3 draw.
 
Speaking after Tuesday’s game at the Nizhny Novgorod Stadium, Chelle praised Russia’s quality while acknowledging the unusual competitive circumstances surrounding Valeri Karpin’s team.
 
“I consider the Russian national team a good and strong team. They’re having a tough time right now because of the suspension; they’re forced to play only friendly matches and only against those who agree.”
 
He said that the Super Eagles controlled the opening stages before Russia seized the initiative, but tactical adjustments helped his side recover.
   
“We dominated the first half, and the second, of course, was Russia’s. Then they couldn’t find a way to deal with what we offered them. And we secured a draw. I’m happy with my team.
 
“We have taken note of what these players can do, which will help us going forward,” he said.
 
Explaining Nigeria’s gallant display against Russia, veteran Russian coach Sergei Tashuyev said that the young players in the Super Eagles squad were determined to prove their worth in the match.
  
Tashuyev noted that Russia were unable to cope with the Super Eagles’ late onslaught, particularly from the young players making their debuts.
 
“The Russian national team played a good match against Nigeria. During this training camp, we saw clear signs of the national team’s play—ball control, positional attacks,” the former Krasnodar and Akhmat Grozny coach told local media.
 
“We lacked concentration at the end. We seemed to be leading by two goals, but we couldn’t contain the onslaught of the young Nigerians.
 
“They aren’t often called up to the Nigerian national team, so they had something to prove.”
   
Meanwhile, Nigeria’s ambassador to Russia, Joseph Olusola Iji, has backed the idea of the Super Eagles hosting Russia in a return friendly, according to allnigeriasoccer.com.
 
Speaking after the match, Iji praised both teams and expressed his enthusiasm for the possibility of a return fixture being staged in Nigeria.
 
“A great game on both sides. Holding the return match in Nigeria? That would be fantastic,” Iji told RB Sport, via Euro Football.
 
“Are you willing to sponsor this game? Of course! Why not? Nigeria is a giant of the African continent.”