Wilfred Ndidi will lead Nigeria’s 24-player squad for the 6 October friendly against Russia in Nizhny Novgorod.
Stanley Nwabali, Moses Simon, Bright Osayi-Samuel, Benjamin Fredricks, Raphael Onyedika and Akor Adams provide an experienced core. The selection also creates a valuable audition for several newcomers, including goalkeeper Samuel James and defender Victory Akpe.
The friendly offers the coaching staff an opportunity to test combinations rather than simply repeat the established hierarchy. The important questions concern midfield balance, younger players' route into the senior side and which forward can connect build-up to penalty-box threat.
