Super Eagles head coach, Eric Chelle has stated clearly that Nigeria is going into their upcoming international friendly against Russia with the sole aim of winning, Sports247 reports.
Speaking ahead of the clash scheduled for Friday at the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow, Chelle said the team is determined to carry forward the momentum from their recent Unity Cup triumph.
Fresh off a 5-4 penalty shootout victory over Jamaica in the Unity Cup final after a 2-2 draw, Chelle stressed that despite the friendly nature of the Russia match; it will be approached with a competitive mindset.
“We want to win every game going forward,” he said. “It’s not easy to play outside the country, especially against strong teams like Russia, but these are the games that show the state of mind of the team.”
The Unity Cup gave Chelle the opportunity to test several players, including home-based talents, and begin instilling a more intense playing style.
While rotation and experimentation are expected in friendlies, Chelle made it clear that performances still matter. “Each match is a step toward building a strong identity. We’re focused on getting results while improving our system,” he added.
Chelle also acknowledged the challenge posed by Russia, who are looking to rebuild and remain a physical and disciplined side. He believes the match will help the Super Eagles fine-tune their tactics ahead of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers in September.
With a blend of established stars like Samuel Chukwueze, Moses Simon, and new call-ups from the domestic league, the Super Eagles camp is buzzing with determination. The match against Russia is expected to test Nigeria’s progress under Chelle and provide another opportunity to build team chemistry.
As Chelle concluded, “We know what’s ahead, and this game is another step in our journey. We’re going to Moscow to compete and win.”