7-6-2025
Super Eagles coach Eric Chelle says his team would continue to work on their playing pattern and try to find balance.
Chelle was speaking after Russia and Nigeria settled for a draw in an international friendly at the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow Friday night.
Tolu Arokodare who replaced Victor Boniface in the 71st minute levelled up after Semi Ajayi under pressure from Russian Viktor Melyokhin’s cross from the right turned the ball into his own net in the first half of the game without Super Eagles regulars.
Goalkeeper Maduka Okoye put up a spirited display making several saves to ensure the Super Eagles avoid defeat in the hands of the Russians that have not lost a game in five outings.
Chelle said that the absence of some of his key players made the match a little difficult, adding, however, that the team would continue to work on their playing pattern and find balance.
“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 result meant Nigeria kept its unbeaten record in the year 2025, ahead of two crucial 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying games against Rwanda and South Africa in three months’ time.
The Super Eagles, lying fourth in their group, will host Rwanda’s Amavubi in the first week of September.
The team will then fly out to Johannesburg four days later to tackle group leaders Bafana Bafana of South Africa in what could be a flaming war. NAN