Sports
Internaltional Friendly: Super Eagles need to find balanced playing pattern, says Eric Chelle as Eagles Hold Russia to 1-1
- Arokodare’s Strike Cancels Out Own Goal as Super Eagles Hold Russia to 1-1 Draw
- Super Eagles need to find balanced playing pattern, says Eric Chelle
Arokodare’s Strike Cancels Out Own Goal as Super Eagles Hold Russia to 1-1 Draw
The Super Eagles of Nigeria held the Russian national team to a 1-1 draw in an international friendly match held at the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow on Friday.
Tolu Arokodare scored his first goal for Nigeria in the 71st minute, canceling out Semi Ajayi’s unfortunate own goal in the 27th minute.
Despite missing key players like Victor Osimhen, Samuel Chukwueze, and Wilfred Ndidi, the Super Eagles showed determination and grit to earn a point.
WHAT ERIC CHELLE SAID
Super Eagles coach Eric Chelle praised his team’s resilience but acknowledged the need to work on their playing pattern and find balance ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.
“Now we are talking about the future of my team as we are preparing for the World Cup qualifiers.
“We made lots of changes to the squad, and our usual pressing game was a bit difficult because the new players are yet to fully understand how we want to play.
“So, we need to keep working on our playing pattern and try to find balance,” he said.
The Franco-Malian gaffer, however, admitted that the match was a very tough one against a strong opponent.
“Russia has a good team with lots of pressure and technical qualities.
“We did not play well in the first half. We didn’t enforce our pressing game so well.
“But we were better in the second half with our pressing, and that made the difference for us. It was not an easy game.
“When I say the game was not easy, it was because we played against a very good team. They had their chances in the first half, and they took them; we had our chance, but the keeper saved it.
“In the second half, Russia had two chances, and we had one or two, and we scored,” he said.
The draw extends Nigeria’s unbeaten record in 2025, ahead of crucial matches against Rwanda and South Africa in September.
Match Key Details:
Date: Friday
Venue: Luzhniki Stadium, Moscow
Score: Russia 1 (Semi Ajayi OG) – Nigeria 1 (Tolu Arokodare 71′)
NEXT INTERNATIONAL FRIENDLIES
The Super Eagles will host Rwanda in their first World Cup qualifier in September before traveling to South Africa to face Bafana Bafana.
** Additional Report from News Agency of Nigeria**
