Super Eagles winger, Moses Simon, has praised Nigeria’s young players for showing character after the team fought back from two goals down to draw 3-3 with Russia in an international friendly in Nizhny Novgorod on Tuesday.
Nigeria took an early lead through Kelechi Iheanacho before the hosts responded with three goals to move 3-1 ahead.
However, the Super Eagles refused to give up, with 19-year-old Peter Edokpolor pulling one back in the 78th minute before Akor Adams scored in the fourth minute of added time to complete the comeback.
Simon, one of the more experienced players in a heavily rotated Nigerian squad, hailed the younger players for their performance after the match.
“A tough atmosphere, a demanding test, but these young players stood tall and showed real character to earn a commendable draw,” Simon wrote on X.
The Paris FC forward also expressed optimism about the future of the national team, saying the performance had provided reasons for encouragement.
“The talent, courage and composure on display offer plenty of reasons to believe in a brighter and greater future for this team,” he added.
Nine players made their international debuts during the encounter as head coach Éric Chelle used the friendly to assess younger and less experienced players.
The debutants included goalkeeper Samuel James, defenders Isaac James and Vince Osuji, midfielders Stephen Michael, Wilfred Igor and Chibuzo Nwoko, as well as forwards Peter Edokpolor, Abdullahi Umar and Umar Abubakar.
Simon was substituted in the 70th minute, having featured alongside Iheanacho as one of the senior players in the youthful side.
Russia coach Sergei Tashuyev, also acknowledged the determination of Nigeria’s young players after his side surrendered a two-goal advantage.
“We lacked concentration at the end. We seemed to be leading by two goals, but we could not contain the onslaught of the young Nigerians. They are not often called up to the Nigerian national team, so they had something to prove,” Tashuyev said.
The draw gave Nigeria a positive result after the Super Eagles were beaten 3-0 by Guinea-Bissau in their previous 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying fixture.
Simon ended his message by further expressing his confidence in the team’s prospects, writing, “The future is looking good for our country @ng_supereagles 🇳🇬🦅”
