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Troost-Ekong Leads Super Eagles Of Nigeria Into Historic Clash With Russia.
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Troost-Ekong says match is tactical, not a sightseeing trip.
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Coach Chelle builds momentum ahead of AFCON, World Cup qualifiers.
Nigeria’s Super Eagles have arrived in Moscow with a firm mission: secure a historic win against a resurgent Russian side in an international friendly scheduled for 6 p.m. today, June 6, at the Luzhniki Stadium.
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EKO HOT BLOG reports that team captain William Troost-Ekong set the tone during Thursday’s pre-match press conference, stressing that the squad’s presence in the Russian capital is purely for business—not sightseeing.
“We are here for business. It’s not a tourist trip,” said Ekong. “For some of the players, it’s their first time with us, so they must understand what the coach expects.”
The friendly fixture marks the first-ever senior-level meeting between Nigeria and Russia and serves as a key preparatory step for Nigeria ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers and the next Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
Under new head coach Eric Chelle, who took charge earlier this year, the Super Eagles have shown signs of transformation, remaining unbeaten in six matches. Recent highlights include a dramatic Unity Cup victory over Jamaica in London and a narrow win over Ghana in a previous friendly.
Troost-Ekong highlighted the importance of this game in developing team cohesion and adapting to Chelle’s tactical philosophy.
“We have a clear idea from the coach that we are still working on,” he said. “This match is another opportunity to develop our system and bring new players up to speed.”
But the Super Eagles face a formidable test. Russia, sidelined from FIFA and UEFA competitions since 2022 due to the Ukraine conflict, have maintained impressive form. The Sbornaya have won their last eight matches, scoring 45 goals and conceding none—most recently thrashing Zambia 5-0 in March.
“They have an outstanding record here,” Ekong admitted. “But we’ve studied their game. We’ve watched a lot of videos to understand their tactics, and we are ready.”
Russia’s squad features elite players like PSG goalkeeper Matvey Safonov and red-hot striker Nikolay Komlichenko. Despite their exclusion from international tournaments, the Russians have used friendlies to stay sharp and dominant.
With high stakes for both teams, tonight’s match promises to be more than just a warm-up—it’s a test of identity, form, and ambition.
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