What Nigeria’s strongest Super Eagles XI could look like against Russia

Nigeria’s Super Eagles will trade tackles with Russia in October in a second international friendly match between the two nations in 16 months, Afrik-Foot reports.

Fielding a second-string Super Eagles squad last year, Eric Chelle’s men left Moscow with a credible one-all draw, with Tolu Arokodare coming off the bench to net Nigeria’s equaliser.

With a strong squad this time, Super Eagles could be in a better place to register a first win over Russia.

That makes the selection question more important than the prediction itself. Eric Chelle has a clear tactical identity, with the 4-4-2 diamond giving Nigeria four central midfield players and two strikers. The system has already produced strong attacking numbers, while Ademola Lookman has proved effective at the tip of the diamond.

The match will take place at the 44,000-capacity Nizhny Novgorod Stadium on October 6, exactly one week after Nigeria’s AFCON 2027 qualifier against Guinea-Bissau in Bissau.

If Chelle wants to put out his strongest available XI, this is how the team could look.

Super Eagles’ strongest possible XI vs Russia

Goalkeeper: Stanley Nwabali

Stanley Nwabali is the clearest choice when the discussion is about Nigeria’s strongest XI.

The Chippa United goalkeeper has regained regular club football after returning to the South African side in July. He played 90 minutes in Chippa’s 0-0 draw with Milford FC on September 5, giving him a full run of competitive games before the international window.

Nwabali was also Nigeria’s established first-choice goalkeeper during the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations run. His 1.96m frame gives Chelle an obvious advantage against a Russian side that can use crosses and set pieces.

Maduka Okoye offers serious competition, but Nwabali has the stronger claim when Chelle is picking his best XI rather than experimenting.

Strongest choice: Nwabali

Defence: Aina, Ajayi, Bassey, Onyemaechi

The back four has a natural balance. Ola Aina should take the right-back position. His ability to defend one-on-one and move forward is particularly important in a diamond because the formation has no traditional wingers. The full-backs have to provide the width.

Semi Ajayi would bring experience and leadership at centre-back. Chelle has repeatedly selected Ajayi and with William Troost-Ekong now retired, he has placed even more trust in the Hull City defender.

Calvin Bassey is the other centre-back. The Fulham defender has become one of Nigeria’s most established defenders and has made over 100 appearances for the Premier League club since joining from Ajax.

Bruno Onyemaechi completes the defence at left-back. His value goes beyond his ability to defend. He is comfortable moving forward and has played regularly for Nigeria under Chelle. He started seven of Nigeria’s 10 matches in 2026, with 616 minutes across those starts.

Strongest defence: Aina, Ekong, Bassey, Onyemaechi

Midfield: Ndidi, Iwobi, Onyeka, Lookman

This is where Chelle’s system becomes most interesting. Wilfred Ndidi should sit at the base of the diamond. His defensive reading, tackling and ability to protect the centre-backs give the formation a platform.

Alex Iwobi would operate as one of the two shuttlers. His passing range allows Nigeria to move the ball quickly from the defensive line into attack, while his movement can help create space for Lookman.

Frank Onyeka is another strong option on the other side of the diamond. His energy suits Chelle’s demand for aggressive pressing. The system requires every player to contribute defensively and offensively, while Chelle wants his team to press high.

The most attacking midfield role belongs to Ademola Lookman. That position has become one of the defining features of Chelle’s Nigeria. Lookman is naturally a winger, but his movement inside allows him to find pockets between the opposition midfield and defence.

Chelle himself has explained why he likes the system. He wants two strikers while creating numerical superiority in midfield.

Strongest midfield: Ndidi, Iwobi, Onyeka, Lookman

Attack: Osimhen and Akor Adams

Victor Osimhen would normally be the automatic choice. His power, movement and ability to attack crosses make him the natural focal point of Chelle’s front two. Nigeria’s attack was built around him during the 2025 AFCON, where the diamond allowed him to operate alongside another striker rather than carrying the entire attacking burden alone.

There is, however, one major problem for the Russia game. Osimhen suffered a right adductor injury during Galatasaray’s 3-2 win over Istanbul Basaksehir on September 4. He scored in the 16th minute but was forced off in the 33rd minute. Galatasaray later confirmed a moderate-to-advanced strain involving bleeding and stretching in the adductor muscle group.

His availability for October therefore has to be treated as a fitness question, not a selection certainty. If fit, Osimhen starts.

The second striker is more open to debate. Akor Adams has already shown that he can operate alongside Osimhen in Chelle’s system. The coach used the pair during AFCON 2025, while Tolu Arokodare also offers a different option after scoring Nigeria’s equaliser against Russia in Moscow in 2025.

A fully fit Osimhen alongside Akor Adams gives Nigeria a strong combination of power, movement and penalty-box presence.

If Osimhen is unavailable, Arokodare becomes one of the leading candidates to partner Adams.

Strongest attack if fit: Osimhen and Akor Adams

Super Eagles strongest XI: Nwabali; Aina, Ekong, Bassey, Onyemaechi; Ndidi; Iwobi, Onyeka; Lookman; Osimhen, Akor Adams