NewStats: 3,263,619 , 8,180,776 topics. Date: Friday, 06 June 2025 at 08:38 PM 593x3k

Nigeria come from behind to earn draw
Nigeria came from behind to earn a draw in a first-ever senior international match against Russia.

The Super Eagles arrived in Moscow full of confidence after winning the Unity Cup in west London last week, though they can perhaps take even more confidence at securing the result without several key names such as Victor Osimhen, Alex Iwobi, Ademola Lookman and Ola Aina.

Those absences did open the door for the likes of Victor Boniface and Christantus Uche to impress, but it was Tolu Arokodare who made the most of the opportunity and has staked a claim to start the crucial World Cup qualifiers against Rwanda and South Africa later this year.

As for Valery Karpin’s Football Union of Russia, who have been suspended by FIFA and UEFA since October 2022, it’s the first time they have failed to win since October 2023 - a run that stretched across eight games.

Redman44:
Boniface did not score once more. I think he should be dropped for Dessers. Thanks to Tolu Arokodare.

Honestly Boniface has had enough time

Let's see others in fact allow Cyril Dessers take his place and play the AFCON

Tolu Arokodare

FULL-TIME
Russia 1-1 Nigeria

That’s it, it ends all square. Tolu Arokodare earns Nigeria a draw after the hosts lead at half-time through Semi Ajayi’s own goal.

Russia did have chances to win it late on but couldn’t find a way past Maduka Okoye.

Russia 1-1 Nigeria
90 min: BIG CHANCE

Russia pour forward in numbers, Barinov is in acres of space at the back post but he puts his effort over the bar. Was that the chance to win it?

Nigeria respond with a chance as Ogbu replaces Dele-Bashiru.

That is a change to shore things up at the back.

Four minutes of injury time has been signalled.

Aarokodare has been the spark for Nigeria

Who came in 62 min: to replace Boniface for Nigeria.

Arokodare has taken over as the focal point up front.

Boniface hasn't made himself useful for nigeria despite all the callup

83 min: Osayi-Samuel is incensed with a tackle on him, but the referee does well to calm down the situation as tempers threatened to boil over.

Glebov is booked for a foul.

81 min: Onyemaechi with another risky tackle that goes unpunished. A reminder he is on a yellow card.

Big chance for Russia from a corner as Barinov puts a free header over the bar.

GOAL! Russia 1-1 Nigeria | Tolu Arokodare '71
71 min: GOALLLLLLL

Safonov will not want to see this one back as he plays the ball straight to Tolu Arokodare who makes no mistake from close range.

Just like that, Nigeria are level

50 min: Nigeria try to play out from the back and are almost caught out but Krugovoy is adjudged to have controlled the ball with his arm and the Super Eagles breathe a massive sign of relief.

Russia 1-0 Nigeria
47 min: First attempt of the second half falls to Russia but Glushenkov wildly blasts the ball over the bar from a promising position.

HALF-TIME
Russia 1-0 Nigeria

Hosts ahead at the break thanks to an own goal from Semi Ajayi.

It has not been a great half by any means but Nigeria are unlucky not to be on level as PSG goalkeeper made a wonderful save to keep out Fisayo Dele-Bashiru’s effort.

40 min: WHAT A SAVE

Nigeria are in, Dele-Bashiru is clean through but is denied by an outstanding save by Safonov.

Strong hand from the Russia goalkeeper to tip the ball over the bar

Russia 1-0 Nigeria
35 min: Not a great deal in of a response from Nigeria since going a goal down. The front four are struggling to get in the game.

Here come Nigeria down the right, but they end up going backwards and sidewards allowing Russia to get back into a defensive shape

Russia 1-0 Nigeria
31 min: What a difference a week makes. Last Wednesday, Ajayi forced an own goal in Nigeria’s win over Ghana in the Unity Cup semi-final.

This evening the tables have been turned. In fairness to the defender, Komlichenko was lurking right behind him for a tap-in, so a goal was the most likely outcome regardless.

Cooleasy:

How can one watch it?

Link is here

https://www.youtube.com/live/IN2x1NhJ3Ws?si=OXscv475GPqSERQp

The Super Eagles now take on Valery Karpin’s Football Union of Russia, who have been suspended by FIFA and UEFA since October 2022 but still compete in friendly matches and won 5-0 against both Grenada and Zambia earlier this year, with Zenit’s Maksim Glushenkov hitting a hat-trick against the latter.

GOAL! Russia 1-0 Nigeria | Semi Ajayi (own goal) '27
27 min: GOALLLLLL

Russia take the lead, superb wing play from Krugovoy on the left as he gets to the byline, puts the ball into a dangerous area and Ajayi can’t help but turn the ball into his own net.

Game on



Nigeria 0-1 Russia

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Nigeria’s Best XI vs Russia: Boniface, Uche lead Super Eagles probable starting lineup for Moscow friendly
Nigeria’s Best XI vs Russia: Boniface, Uche lead Super Eagles probable starting lineup for Moscow friendly


Nigeria will take on Russia today in a high-profile international friendly at the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow, Soccernet.ng reports.

Although Russia remains indefinitely suspended from FIFA and UEFA competitions following the country’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine, their national team has been active in a series of friendly matches.

The Russians are in devastating form — winning their last seven games, scoring 36 goals, and conceding none. They will be confident of adding Nigeria to that growing list of victims.

However, Eric Chelle and his Super Eagles will be eager to avoid defeat in what is the first-ever senior international meeting between the two nations.

Chelle’s preparations have been hampered by several high-profile absentees.

Star forwards Victor Osimhen and Ademola Lookman are unavailable, along with Ola Aina, Wilfred Ndidi, Cyriel Dessers, Kelechi Iheanacho, Samuel Chukwueze, Sadiq Umar, and Nathan Tella.

Chukwueze and Iheanacho have pulled out for family reasons, while Umar is sidelined through injury. Tella, meanwhile, is currently renewing his UK port, making him ineligible for this tie.

As a result, Chelle has named a reworked frontline, featuring Victor Boniface, Moses Simon, and Tolu Arokodare. Russia-based Olakunle Olusegun, a former Nigeria U-20 star, has also been called up and could make an appearance on familiar turf.

In goal, Stanley Nwabali has returned to Nigeria for his parents’ final burial rites, paving the way for either Maduka Okoye or Amas Obasogie to start.

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Nigeria’s probable starting XI vs Russia
Goalkeeper: Maduka Okoye (Udinese)
Okoye has been working hard to reclaim his spot as Nigeria’s No.1 and now gets his big chance in Nwabali’s absence. A solid performance here could see the former Watford shot-stopper move ahead in the pecking order under Chelle.

Defence: Bright Osayi-Samuel, William Troost-Ekong, Semi Ajayi, Bruno Onyemaechi
With Ola Aina missing, Fenerbahçe’s Osayi-Samuel is the most likely candidate at right-back.

Captain Troost-Ekong, back in the fold after missing the Unity Cup, is expected to partner Semi Ajayi, who was imperious against Ghana in the Unity Cup semi-final.

At left-back, Chelle has few options after Felix Agu returned to , meaning Bruno Onyemaechi should get the nod.

However, don't rule out a tactical tweak — Sodiq Ismaila could come in at right-back, allowing Osayi-Samuel to shift to the left.

Midfield: Frank Onyeka, Raphael Onyedika, Moses Simon, Fisayo Dele-Bashiru
Chelle’s teams are known for tactical flexibility — during the Unity Cup, the Super Eagles seamlessly switched between 4-4-2, 4-2-3-1, and 4-3-3 setups.

In this match, Raphael Onyedika is likely to sit deep, freeing up Frank Onyeka to press and break up Russia’s rhythm. Further forward, Dele-Bashiru will look to create opportunities, while Simon may drift to the flank to combine with the forwards.

Attack: Christantus Uche, Victor Boniface
With Unity Cup star Cyriel Dessers absent, the goal-scoring burden now falls on Victor Boniface and Tolu Arokodare. Neither Boniface nor Arokodare has scored for Nigeria yet, but the Bayer Leverkusen striker is likely to get the nod up front.

Getafe’s Christantus Uche is expected to partner him. Strong, versatile, and physically dominant, Uche impressed in a brief cameo against Jamaica in the Unity Cup final and will look to cement his place in the squad.

His ability to link midfield and attack could be crucial to any Nigerian success in Moscow.

Nigeria (4-4-2):
Okoye; Osayi-Samuel, Ajayi, Troost-Ekong, Onyemaechi; Onyeka, Onyedika, Simon, Dele-Bashiru; Uche, Boniface.

Maduka okoye return's as super Eagles keeper

We celebrate papa kumuyi

Defender of the faith

This. Napoli na slave trade club


Allow Osimhen leave
What kind of wickedness

Donations so far for Stanley nwabali parents burial...
1. Victor Osimhen 10million
2. Ñff 20million
3. Ahmed musa 5millïon
4. Troost Ekong 2million
5. Ademola lookman 1.5million
6. Chukwueze Samuel 1.5million
7. Alex Iwobi 10million

May God bless them abundantly Amen 🔥💚🇳🇬🦅🦅🦅

Match day


Can the super Eagles silence the Russians

Lest go there

Full. Camp


Ready to. Soar

TruthinAction:
This statement is not consistent with the instructions given by our Lord Jesus. Most people will be shocked to see many celebrated men of God rejected on judgment day. Deliberate disobedience against the instructions of our Lord Jesus is rebellion. And rebellion is as the spirit of witchcraft.

What's this one even saying

APOPTOSIS:
😂😂😂😂
A Pastor now warns people like Asari Dokubo, issuing threats.
A man that ought to allow God to fight for him & himself is now impatient, going ahead of God to issue threats. Hmmmmm What a country!
Just imagine. He should ban phones too.😂
Everybody just dey Lawless..naaa waaa

When you want to talk try and bend your mouth well

In the name of freedom of speech so many people have gone not

That you are a blogger doesn't mean
You'll wríte or quote people out of context because you want traffic

And some even go ahead to insult pastors old enough to be thier father's and grandfather

We don't have morality again
Because you bought 20mb to browse

Team list for super Eagles





FULL SQUAD:

Goalkeepers: Maduka Okoye (Udinese FC, Italy); Amas Obasogie (Singida Blackstars, Tanzania)


Defenders: Bright Osayi-Samuel (Fenerbahce SK, Turkey); Bruno Onyemaechi (Olympiacos FC, Greece); Oluwasemilogo Ajayi (West Bromwich Albion, England); Igoh Ogbu (SK Slavia Prague, Czech Republic); William Troost-Ekong (Al-Kholood FC, Saudi Arabia); Sodiq Ismaila (Remo Stars); Benjamin Fredericks (Brentford FC, England)

Midfielders: Saviour Isaac (Enugu Rangers); Raphael Onyedika (Club Brugge, Belgium); Fisayo Dele-Bashiru (Lazio FC, Italy); Chrisantus Uche (Getafe CF, Spain); Frank Onyeka (Augsburg FC, ); Papa Daniel Mustapha (Niger Tornadoes)

Forwards: Victor Boniface (Bayer Leverkusen, ); Simon Moses (FC Nantes, ); Tolu Arokodare (KRC Genk, Belgium); Olakunle Olusegun (Krasnodar FC, Russia