Eric Chelle has announced the Super Eagles' starting 11 for the friendly match against RussiaNigeria will face the European country at the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow at 6 pm Nigerian timeUdinese goalkeeper Maduka Okoye earns his first start under Eric Chelle with Stanley Nwabali out Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle has announced the Super Eagles starting 11 for the friendly match against Russia at the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow. Nigeria will take on the Europeans off the back of winning the 2025 Unity Cup during the first phase of their May/June international break in London. The Super Eagles defeated Jollof rivals Ghana 2-1 in the semi-final before defeating Caribbean nation Jamaica in the final on penalties after a 2-2 draw in 90 minutes. Chelle releases Super Eagles XI According to Soar Super Eagles, Chelle confirmed the starting 11 to take on Russia in the next one hour, with goalkeeper Maduka Okoye returning to the team for the first time under Eric Chelle. His last appearance came in the 2-1 loss to Rwanda on the final day of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo. Captain William Troost-Ekong returns to partner Semi Ajayi in the heart of defence with Bright Osayi-Samuel and Bruno Onyemaechi flanking the defence. Victor Boniface will lead the line, while Getafe star Christantus Uche was rewarded with a start after an impressive cameo against Jamaica. Frank Onyeka, Raphael Onyeka and Fisayo Dele-Bashiru are the midfield three, while Uche and Moses Simon are expected to join Boniface in the attack. Eric Chelle explains absences Several top stars are missing from the squad, including Victor Osimhen and Ademola Lookman, both of whom the manager gave time to sort out their futures at their clubs. Other absences include Samuel Chukwueze, Ola Aina, Wilfred Ndidi and Nathan Tella, amongst others. The manager explained the reason for the absences. “Nathan Tella is not here because of passport and visa problems. Samuel Chukwueze needs to solve issues with the family, and Wilfred Ndidi sustained a groin injury. That's why these players are not here, too,” he said as quoted by All Nigeria Soccer. The duo of Osimhen and Lookman missed the Unity Cup as permanent exits from Italian clubs Napoli and Atalanta loom for both players. Eric Chelle analyses Russia Legit.ng reported that Eric Chelle analysed Russia ahead of facing the Europeans in a friendly match this evening at the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow. The manager explained Russia’s tactics, and while reiterating that it is a friendly match, he claimed that his job as a manager is to always seek a win in every game. Source: Legit.ng