Nigeria’s Super Eagles have begun preparation for the international friendly match slated for Tuesday, October 6, at the 44,899-capacity SVOKombank Arena in Nizhny Novgorod.

The Super Eagles arrived in Nizhny Novgorod on Friday and had their first training session on Saturday evening with a handful of senior squad members.

Kelechi Iheanacho, Moses Simon, Akor Adams, Benjamin Fredrick, Stanley Nwabali, and Emmanuel Fernandez are part of Eric Chelle’s squad for the friendly.

Following Wilfred Ndidi’s withdrawal, Basel defender Victory Akpe will also not be available for the match after sustaining an injury in training.

Tromso defender Vince Osuji and 19-year-old John Otomewo have been handed an invitation as the team continues preparation.

The friendly match offers Super Eagles manager Eric Chelle the opportunity to try out new players following the team’s shaky start to the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.

The Super Eagles opened their campaign with a 2-1 win over Madagascar and a 3-0 loss away at Guinea-Bissau.

Meanwhile, Tuesday’s meeting will be the second between the two sides.

Nigeria previously played Russia in June 2025 at the Luzhniki Stadium in an international friendly following the Unity Cup triumph in London.

An own goal by Semi Ajayi and Tolu Arokodare’s second-half equalizer off the bench settled the match as it ended 1-1.

Eric Chelle will hope for an improved performance and result on Tuesday to erase the disappointing against Guniea-Bissau.