Eric Chelle revamps Super Eagles squad ahead of Russia friendly

By Dayo Awoniyi

Nigeria head coach Eric Chelle has made key adjustments to Nigeria’s senior national team squad ahead of their international friendly against Russia, scheduled for Friday, June 6, 2025, at the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow.

The changes follow Nigeria’s successful outing at the Unity Cup in England, where the team defeated Ghana 2-1 and edged Jamaica in a 5-4 penalty shootout to lift the trophy.

Among the notable additions to the squad is Saviour Isaac, who has received his first senior call-up and is expected to make his international debut during the current window.

Isaac joins a squad largely made up of players who featured in the Unity Cup, including Sodiq, who played the full 90 minutes in both matches, and Sikiru Alimi, one of the standout home-based players in the tournament.

The squad has already arrived in Moscow as Chelle continues to assess his options and build cohesion ahead of Nigeria’s upcoming competitive fixtures, including the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations and World Cup qualifiers.

The friendly against Russia marks another step in Chelle’s rebuilding process as he seeks to blend experienced internationals with emerging talent in the Super Eagles setup.