Venezia of Italy summer signing, Jerome Akor Adams is set to lead Nigeria’s attack during Tuesday’s international friendly against Russia, while the Super Eagles’ captain’s armband will go to Pafis FC of France winger, Moses Simon.
Sports247 reports that Adams and Moses will have to play key roles of motivating a largely third-string Nigeria squad to victory against their hosts, following the withdrawals of several players who had initially been listed for the game in Novgorod.
However, Adams will get adequate support in attack from returnee former golden boy, Kelechi ‘Seniorman Kelz’ Iheanacho, who has rediscovered his goal scoring boots after moving to Turkey from Celtic of Scotland, in the wake of a botched deal at Sevilla of Spain.
Incidentally, Adams was the man who replaced Iheanacho in Sevilla’s attack and he went on to twinkle bright, as he brought to bear experience gained from his previous years at Sogndal and Lillestrøm of Norway as well as Montpellier of France.
Adams, Moses and Iheanacho were the most illustrious players among the 18 Nigerians who took part in the Eagles’ second training session ahead of Tuesday’s game in Russia, along with Chippa United of South Africa’s back-to-form goalkeeper, Stanley Nwabali.
The Eagles’ squad, though, is without Bright Osayi-Samuel, Raphael Onyedika, Akpe Victory, Ademola Lookman and skipper of the side, Wilfred Onyinye Ndidi, who were all part of the team’s ill-fated 3-0 loss away to Guinea-Bissau in their last competitive game.
Nonetheless, Adams, Moses, Iheanacho and Nwabali have been joined at the camp in Russia by two-fast rising defenders, Emmanuel Fernandez from Glasgow Rangers of Scotland and Benjamin Frederick from Brentford of England.
Also in camp for Tuesday’s game are largely ‘unknown’ rookies Wilfred Igor, Samuel James, Kenneth Igboke, Chibuzor Nwoko, Umar Abubakar and Peter Edokpolor as well as previously invited Abdullahi Bewene.
Others are Umar Abdullai, Atata Michael, Aderemi Adeoye, Isaac James and Michael Stephen, which means Adams, Moses, Iheanacho and Nwabali will be the stars to watch on Nigeria’s roster during the game at Sovcombank Arena in Nizhny Novgorod.
Adams said he is ready for the challenge, as he seeks to make atonement for last Tuesday’s shock 3-0 loss in Bissau, while also aiming to get a personal lift to his sagging morale following a paltry start to his days with Venezia in the Italian Serie A.
The 26-year-old attacker from Benue State admitted the Eagles must do everything for a return to winning ways exactly a week after suffering the heavy loss to Guinea-Bissau, and Adams equally acknowleged they all have to prove Nigeria’s real quality.
“We have already set the standards very high as the Super Eagles. For me, that’s one thing we should do going into the next game. We are aware of the standards, and we should live up to them.
“For us, now there are a lot of new boys in camp. I’m happy for them, and congratulations to those who are going to make their debut. The coach has made it clear that we are here to try our best to win.
“Russia is a very good team as well, and I think they are very hungry to play games because of their peculiar situation. For us, it is about giving our best,” posited Adams, who will be aiming for his seventh international goal for Nigeria.
Sports247 recalls that Adams first featured for Nigeria youth team at the 2019 FIFA U-20 World Cup, after which he got his maiden senior call for 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Lesotho and Benin Republic.
Adams, who now has 17 senior caps, scored on his debut as a substitute against Lesotho, then became part of Nigeria’s squad for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco and helped the Eagles clinch a bronze medal.
