Exiled Super Eagles striker, Kelechi Iheanacho, was among the players that trained yesterday ahead of Nigeria’s international friendly against Russia.

Nigeria and Russia will meet in a friendly game tomorrow in Nizhny Novgorod, the second in less than a year. The last encounter in the Eastern European country ended in a 1-1 draw.

The Super Eagles began preparations for the game on Saturday afternoon and trained again yesterday following their arrival in Russia on Friday.

Iheanacho’s last appearance for Nigeria was at the 2025 Unity Cup final against Jamaica. Since then, the former golden boy of Nigerian football has been left out of Super Eagles’ squad to the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations squad and all the teams called for the current 2027 AFCON qualifiers.

Tomorrow’s game is an audition of sorts for the player, who has been described by his publicists as one of the best imports in the Turkish league.

Also in the team are three new players invited, Mathew Otemewo, Vince Osuji and Ibraheem Mahfus Ajasa. While Otemewo and Osuji are direct replacements for the injured Wilfred Ndidi and Vicroy Akpe, Ajasa, who is based in Rostock was invited by Coach Eric Chelle to beef up the squad.

Éric Chelle is using the October international window to continue working with his squad following Nigeria’s opening two matches in the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign.

Nigeria beat Madagascar 2-1 in their opening game and surprisingly lost 0-3 to Guinea-Biassu in the second game.