The Super Eagles of Nigeria extended their unbeaten streak to seven matches following a 1-1 draw against Russia in an international friendly played at Moscow’s Luzhniki Stadium, with Tolu Arokodare grabbing the spotlight in the absence of several key players.
Head coach Eric Chelle had to make do without notable names like Victor Osimhen and Ademola Lookman, but the reshuffled squad provided an opportunity for emerging talents to shine and Arokodare seized it.
The 24-year-old striker from Belgian side Genk came off the bench in place of Bayer Leverkusen’s Victor Boniface just after the hour mark.
He made an immediate impact in the 71st minute, capitalizing on a mishap by Russian goalkeeper Matvey Safonov.
A poor clearance from Safonov fell kindly to Arokodare, who slotted home with ease for his first international goal in only his fourth appearance for Nigeria.
Earlier in the game, Russia, playing under the banner of the Football Union of Russia due to ongoing bans from UEFA and FIFA, took the lead in the 27th minute when Nigeria defender Semi Ajayi inadvertently turned a Danil Krugovoy cross into his own net.
Valery Karpin’s men threatened to snatch a late winner, but Nigeria’s goalkeeper Maduka Okoye stood tall, producing a brilliant save to deny Aleksey Batrakov. Substitute Dmitriy Barinov then squandered a golden opportunity, sending his effort over the bar from close range.
With international restrictions forcing many Russian players to return home, only two members of the squad play for clubs outside the Russian Premier League.
Goalkeeper Matvei Safonov is currently the second-choice at Paris Saint-Germain behind Gianluigi Donnarumma, while forward Anton Miranchuk the team’s most prolific scorer plies his trade in Switzerland with FC Sion.
Zenit St. Petersburg’s Maksim Glushenkov also came into the match on the back of an impressive domestic campaign, recording nine goals and five assists, although Zenit narrowly missed out on the league crown by just a single point.
Nigeria, meanwhile, opted to rest several of their star attackers for the Unity Cup but brought in Victor Boniface for the Moscow clash.
However, the team was still without Osimhen, who is currently sorting out his club future. Fulham duo Calvin Bassey and Alex Iwobi were also rested, along with Lookman and Nottingham Forest striker Taiwo Awoniyi.
Other absentees included Samuel Chukwueze, Ola Aina, Wilfred Ndidi, Kelechi Iheanacho, Sadiq Umar, and Nathan Tella, giving Chelle’s reshuffled squad a chance to prove their worth on the international stage.
