***Moscow, Russia*** – Super Eagles don ready for their friendly match against Russia today, wey go happen for Luzhniki Stadium. Na the first time Nigeria go face Russia for football matter, and people dey gree say e go be serious test for coach Eric Chelle‘s boys.
As dem dey set for the match, former players dey encourage the team to maintain their sweet form wey dem show for Unity Cup wey dem just win for London. Eric Chelle, wey don dey lead Super Eagles since March, don manage to secure two wins and two draws, but make we no forget say dem dey meet Russia wey don win all their seven games this year, scoring mouth-watering 36 goals without any wahala.
Wetin dey happen? Ex-international, Henry Nwosu, wey don carry AFCON trophy for 1980, don drop im prediction. E talk say e expect draw for the match. “Russia go bring their A-game, but na Nigeria go be the biggest team dem go play. I wan make Nigeria win, but make we shine our eye – I gree say draw no go bad,” Nwosu yarn.
Ifeanyi Udeze, wey also don collect AFCON bronze in 2004, also don talk say e dey look forward make the new players shine. “No be World Cup we dey play, but we wan see the new boys show wetin dem fit do. This match no suppose end for loss.”
For the matter wey concern Coach Chelle, e talk say this friendly no be just a game; na big opportunity to show wetin dem fit do ahead of the World Cup qualifying matches wey go start for September. “We get big target for September. Na why I set this friendly to give players chance to show demself. I dey happy because dem don work well even with small training sessions.”
Right now, Super Eagles dey fight to qualify for the World Cup. Dem dey fourth for Group C with only seven points and six points behind South Africa wey dey lead. Dem need to carry win for their last four matches make dem get any chance to qualify. E get matches against Rwanda and South Africa wey dey come for September, followed by Lesotho and Benin Republic in October.
So, as the boys dey leg out for this friendly against Russia, make we hope say dem go shine like diamond and bring us happiness. Na wetin we go find out after the match – fingers crossed!
Do you have a news tip for NNN? Please email us at editor@nnn.ng
