Nigerian football fans will on Tuesday repeatedly struggle to identify their national team’s players, as three home-based lads are among a total of 13 rookies heading for debuts versus Russia.
Sports247 gathered that it will turn out to be a largely third-string Super Eagles’ squad that will tango the Russians during an international friendly in Moscow, where both sides battled to a 1-1 draw on June 6th, 2025.
Incidentally, back then, an own goal by Semi Ajayi was cancelled by Tolu Arokodare, who also played as a rookie during that encounter, thereby giving Nigeria’s coach, Eric Sekou Chelle hope that his latest array of ‘unknown lads’ will also make waves.
Chelle’s unusual roster for Tuesday’s game swelled to 13 rookies on Sunday, with the arrival of Ibraheem Ajasa from nearby FC Rostov of Russia, a hasty inclusion to the Eagles’ camp in Nizhny Novgorod due to forced withdrawals of several players initially billed for the friendly.
Leading the home-based trio in camp for the game is Ikorodu City FC of Lagos goalkeeper, Michael Atata, who will jostle with Finland-based rookie shot-stopper, Samuel James from SJK FC of Finland for who takes over from Stanley Nwabali of Chippa United in South Africa, who is sure to start.
Another home-based player is among the five defenders in camp, as Kenneth Igboke from Enugu Rangers seeks a spot in the back-four along with Isaac James from Alverca in Portugal, Benjamin Fredricks from Brentford of England, Emmanuel Fernandez from Glasgow Rangers of Scotland and Abdullahi Bewene of Banik Ostrava in Czechia.
The third home-based player in camp is a midfielder from Ikorodu City, Aderemi Adeoye, who will aim to edge ahead of all others and get a starting spot alongside any two from among Chibuzo Nwoke from Fulham of England, Stephen Michael from Vendsyssel FF in Denmark and Igor Wilfred of Kristiansund in Norway.
Nigeria’s attack will be the most recognisable part of the squad on Tuesday, as it will feature Kelechi Iheanacho from Bursaspor of Turkey, stand-in captain Moses Simon from Paris FC in France and Akor Jerome Adams from Venezia in Italy.
However, three rookies, two of whom share the same surname, will also deputise for the familiar three, as the roll call ends with Peter Edokpolor from Benfica of Portugal, Abubakar Umar from Famalicao also in Portugal and Abdullahi Umar from Hradec Kralove in Czechia.
Sports247 reports further that the 13 rookies will seek to make the best of this rare opportunity, the same way then Russia-based defender, Brian Idowu scored on his debut, after being called up as a late addition against Argentina on November 17, 2017 in nearby Krasnodar.
