Ahead of the much-anticipated international friendly match between Russia and Nigeria, Russian midfielder Andrei Mostovoy has said the absence of top Super Eagles stars Victor Osimhen, Ademola Lookman, and Alex Iwobi won’t affect the game.
The match, scheduled for the first week of June, has generated buzz, especially after Nigeria’s head coach Eric Chelle unveiled a squad that excluded the three key players. Chelle later explained that his decision was to allow new and younger players to shine.
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Reacting to the Nigerian squad announcement, Mostovoy told Russian media outlet TASS that his team is not bothered by the missing stars.
“We have normal opponents in June. Belarus was there last year. It will be very interesting with Nigeria,” he said.
“The fact that some of the stars of the Nigerian team will not come does not change anything in terms of the team’s mood. We have played with weaker opponents before.”
Nigeria Still A Strong Team – Mostovoy
Despite the absence of Osimhen, Lookman, and Iwobi, Mostovoy stressed that Nigeria remains a strong and exciting opponent. He added that the Russian squad is approaching the match with seriousness and high spirits.
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“Nigeria is a very interesting opponent. It will be interesting to play. Of course, we will go into this match with maximum mood,” he added.
Super Eagles Set to Test New Talent
Coach Chelle’s move to test new players is seen as part of his long-term plan to build squad depth and prepare younger talents for major competitions such as the AFCON qualifiers and the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
While fans may miss seeing Napoli striker Victor Osimhen, Atalanta winger Ademola Lookman, and Fulham midfielder Alex Iwobi, this friendly allows upcoming stars to prove themselves on the international stage.
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