Olakunle Olusegun reflects over ‘special’ Super Eagles debut after Russia draw

By Wale Mustapha

Nigerian forward Olakunle Olusegun has expressed delight after making his debut appearance for the Super Eagles in Friday’s 1–1 draw against Russia in an international friendly at the Luzhniki Stadium.

The FC Krasnodar attacker came on as a second-half substitute and made an immediate impact, helping Eric Chellé’s side end Russia’s eight-game winning streak.

Speaking to Russian outlet Championat after the match, the 22-year-old reflected on the significance of earning his first senior cap for Nigeria.

“Debuting for the Nigerian national team in a match against Russia is something special, but for me, every game is special,” Olusegun said.

“You know, it’s not easy to play for the Nigerian national team in such a line-up. A lot of guys want to play – they have this opportunity. It was not easy to debut against Russia, because they are not a small team.”

Olusegun’s call-up and performance mark another step forward for the young forward, who has impressed in the Russian Premier League this season.

The Super Eagles continue preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, with Chellé expected to assess more new talent in the coming months.