Peter Odemwingie welcomes fresh faces to Super Eagles ahead of Russia friendly

By Monsurah Olatunji

Former Super Eagles forward Peter Odemwingie has voiced his support for the inclusion of new players in Nigeria’s squad ahead of their upcoming international friendly against Russia, scheduled for June 6 in Moscow.

With key regulars such as Victor Osimhen, Ademola Lookman, Alex Iwobi, and Calvin Bassey unavailable, head coach Eric Chelle has named a 21-man squad featuring four uncapped players: Amas Obasogie (Singida SC), Igoh Ogbu (Slavia Prague), Christantus Uche (Getafe), and Papa Mustapha (Niger Tornadoes).

Speaking to Russian outlet Championat, Odemwingie praised the decision to integrate new talent, calling it a vital step for the long-term development of the national team.

“I like it when new names appear. There will be more competition for the main players,” Odemwingie said. “We will know what the future holds for the Nigerian national team. We cannot always rely on the same players.”

The former Lokomotiv Moscow star identified Samuel Chukwueze, Moses Simon, and Kelechi Iheanacho as likely starters in the Moscow clash. He also highlighted Victor Boniface of Bayer Leverkusen as a key attacking option.

“I think the players who will come to Russia are close to the main squad. If Chukwueze, Simon, and Iheanacho or Boniface start, we can say that they are our base,” he noted.

While acknowledging Osimhen’s absence as a major loss, Odemwingie remained optimistic about the match’s significance.

“Of course, Nigeria’s main star now is Osimhen, but the game will still be interesting,” he said.

The June 6 friendly will serve as a key test for both established names and newcomers looking to secure long-term roles in the national setup, with European scouts and fans watching closely.