Nigeria arrived in Russia on Friday before travelling onwards to Nizhny Novgorod, where the team is based ahead of Tuesday’s encounter at the Nizhny Novgorod Stadium.
17 players take part in first session
Among those involved were experienced winger Moses Simon, who has now earned 101 international caps, goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali, defenders Benjamin Fredricks and Emmanuel Fernandez, and forwards Kelechi Iheanacho and Akor Adams.
The session gave Chelle an opportunity to assess the players available to him and begin tactical preparations for the meeting with the Russian national team.
More training sessions scheduled
The Super Eagles are scheduled to hold two additional training sessions on Sunday and Monday before facing Russia on Tuesday evening.
The match will take place at the Nizhny Novgorod Stadium, one of the venues used during the 2018 FIFA World Cup.
The friendly is part of Nigeria’s preparations for upcoming competitive assignments, with Chelle also using the international window to assess players within his squad.
Nigeria and Russia meet again
Nigeria and Russia last met on 6 June 2025 at Moscow’s Luzhniki Stadium, where the two sides played out a 1–1 draw.
Russia took the lead through a Semi Ajayi own goal before Tolu Arokodare equalised for Nigeria.
The upcoming encounter will therefore be the second meeting between the two nations in just over a year.
Chelle continues squad assessment
Chelle initially named a 24-man squad for the Russia friendly, with captain Wilfred Ndidi, Moses Simon, Stanley Nwabali, Bright Osayi-Samuel, Benjamin Fredricks, Raphael Onyedika and Akor Adams among those selected.
With the first training session now completed, the Nigeria coach has two more sessions to fine-tune his plans before the Super Eagles face Russia on Tuesday.