Super Eagles predicted XI vs Russia: Nwabali, Iheanacho & 3 debutants tipped to start

Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle is expected to unleash a radically reshaped Nigeria team when the former African champions face Russia on Tuesday, Afrik-Foot reports.

The international friendly match between the European and African giants is billed for the Nizhny Novgorod Stadium with kickoff time set at 5:00pm Nigerian time.

The Russia vs Nigeria match comes only seven days after the Super Eagles’ crushing 3-0 loss to Guinea-Bissau in the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers. Interestingly, Eric Chelle’s squad for Russia bears little resemblance to the group that started that competitive fixture.

The French-Malian coach deliberately selected a separate squad for the friendly to examine players outside his established first-choice group. A wave of late withdrawals has since made the experiment even more dramatic.

Super Eagles predicted XI vs Russia

Nwabali in Super Eagles goal

After shopping four goals in games against Madagascar and Guinea-Bissau, Stanley Nwabali is again likely to start against Russia.

Maduka Okoye is not available for the friendly after returning to Italy, leaving Nwabali, Michael Atata and Samuel James as the goalkeeping options in camp. Nwabali’s experience could prove particularly valuable against a Russia side that demolished Namibia 6-0 on Saturday.

New-look Super Eagles back four

The Super Eagles backline is likely to contain four players who were not part of Nigeria’s regular defensive unit during the September AFCON qualifiers.

Abdullahi Bewene is tipped to start at right-back, with Isaac James on the opposite flank. Emmanuel Fernandez and Benjamin Fredricks are expected to form a new central defensive partnership.

That would give Chelle a completely unfamiliar defensive quartet, with the coach forced to adjust after Bright Osayi-Samuel withdrew and established options including Ola Aina, Calvin Bassey, Semi Ajayi and Bruno Onyemaechi were unavailable.

Chelle faces a midfield puzzle

Super Eagles coach Chelle will face his biggest headache in the midfield of the park.

Captain Wilfred Ndidi withdrew after suffering a knock during the 3-0 defeat in Guinea-Bissau, while Raphael Onyedika was not released by Eintracht Frankfurt for the friendly.

Moses Usor also missed out after LASK refused to release him. Coventry City midfielder Frank Onyeka was also not listed for the friendly.

That leaves Chelle with a largely inexperienced midfield and creates a strong possibility of newcomers Aderemi Adeoye, Igor Wilfred and Stephen Michael starting together.

The Super Eagles have stepped up preparations for Russia with their first training session ahead of Tuesday’s international friendly.#SoarSuperEagles pic.twitter.com/cTBifCwWvD

— 🇳🇬 Super Eagles (@NGSuperEagles) October 3, 2026

Adeoye could provide the defensive discipline in front of the back four, while Kristiansund midfielder Wilfred Igor and Vendsyssel’s Stephen Michael would be tasked with carrying possession and connecting midfield with the attack.

Igor and Michael are honouring their first Super Eagles call-up while Adeoye only made his international debut against Zimbabwe at the Unity Cup.

Iheanacho, Simon and Adams lead new-look attack

Kelechi Iheanacho is likely to headline the attack after returning to the national team following his omission from the September qualifiers.

The Bursaspor forward has started the season in spectacular fashion, scoring 11 goals in eight appearances for his Turkish club. His form gives Chelle a proven attacking outlet despite the absence of Victor Osimhen, Ademola Lookman and Samuel Chukwueze.

Moses Simon should operate from the left, with Akor Adams trusted to put his pace and strength to proper use in and around the Russia box.

Simon is also likely to carry the captaincy in the absence of Ndidi, giving the Paris FC winger an important leadership role in a team packed with unfamiliar faces.

The predicted 4-3-3 therefore reads:

Nwabali; Bewene, Fernandez, Fredrick, Isaac James; Adeoye, Igor Wilfred, Stephen Michael; Iheanacho, Akor Adams, Moses Simon.

Russia have won their last four matches and scored 14 goals without conceding during that run, including the 6-0 destruction of Namibia.

The two nations drew 1-1 in Moscow in June 2025, when Tolu Arokodare cancelled out a Semi Ajayi own goal in the 71st minute.