Super Eagles captain William Troost-Ekong has disclosed that Nigeria will employ a combination of different playing styles in their international friendly match against Russia scheduled for Friday evening in Moscow.
Speaking at a press event organized by the Russian Football Union on Thursday, Troost-Ekong was careful not to reveal too much about the team's specific game plan, especially with head coach Eric Chelle present at the briefing.
"I don't know how much I can reveal our game plan, because the head coach is here," the former Watford defender stated. "Tomorrow we will try to combine different styles – we have an understanding of how to act."
Building Team Chemistry Under New Leadership
Troost-Ekong emphasized that the friendly match presents a valuable opportunity for the team to strengthen their cohesion under Chelle's guidance, who only took charge of the Super Eagles earlier this year.
"We have been working with the coach only since the beginning of the year, and this match is a good chance to make our team stronger and continue progressing," he explained.
The captain also highlighted the significance of the match for newcomers to the squad, noting: "There are new players in the squad – this is a great opportunity for them to show how they meet the expectations of the coaching staff."
Building on Recent Success
The Super Eagles are entering this friendly on the back of a positive result in the 2025 Unity Cup, where they defeated Jamaica 5-4 on penalties following a 2-2 draw in regular time last Sunday.
This Russia friendly serves as another test for Chelle's evolving squad as they continue their development under the new technical regime, with the team reportedly arriving in Moscow with confidence and determination to secure another positive result.
The match against Russia represents an important fixture in Nigeria's international calendar as they prepare for upcoming competitive tournaments and continue their quest to qualify for the 2026 World Cup.
