Super Eagles vs Russia: 6 Nigeria stars who could force their way into Chelle’s plans

Super Eagles coach Eric Chelle has already drawn a line between Nigeria’s competitive campaign and Tuesday’s trip to Russia, Soccernet.ng reports.

Chelle named separate squads for the September Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers and the October 6 friendly. The squad plan of the Franco-Malian tactician for the Russia fixture is to create a rare audition for players who have not yet established themselves in his preferred group.

The Super Eagles arrive in Nizhny Novgorod after the crushing 3-0 defeat by Guinea-Bissau's Wild Dogs in Bissau on Tuesday. However, this Russia friendly offers six fringe players an opportunity to turn a call-up into something more permanent.

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Super Eagles players who can earn bigger roles

Kelechi Iheanacho

Few players have a louder case to make than Bursaspor striker Kelechi Iheanacho. The 29-year-old forward has returned to the Super Eagles after his last appearance in the 2025 Unity Cup final against Jamaica, having been omitted from Chelle’s AFCON 2025 squad and all the matches played in 2026 so far.

His club form has changed the conversation. Iheanacho has scored 11 goals and supplied two assists in eight Turkish 1. Lig appearances for Bursaspor, finding the net in every league match he has played this season.

The game against Russia gives the former Celtic and Sevilla man the chance to prove those goals can travel from Turkey to the international stage.

Nigeria Super Eagles star Kelechi Iheanacho. Photo by IMAGO

Akpe Victory

At only 20, Akpe is already playing senior football every week for Basel after joining the Swiss giants from Zalaegerszegi in July.

The 1.95m centre-back has started every league match recorded for Basel this season, with one goal and one assist in his opening seven Swiss Super League appearances.

Chelle is rebuilding a Super Eagles defence that has waved goodbyes to the likes of William Troost-Ekong, Kenneth Omeruo, Chidozie Awaziem, Leon Balogun in recent times.

A composed debut for Victory against Russia would give Chelle another physically imposing option in central defence.

Isaac James

Isaac James has already had the frustration of watching two AFCON qualifiers from the bench.

Super Eagles and Alverca defender Isaac James. Photo by IMAGO

The Alverca defender started all seven Primeira Liga matches before the September break, accumulating 604 minutes and producing two assists, yet he was unused against both Madagascar and Guinea-Bissau.

Chelle's preferred left-back options remain Bruno Onyemaechi and Zaidu Sanusi. Still, James is keen to show that he has qualities to force his way into that conversation.

Russia could finally give the 22-year-old his senior debut and a chance to show why his versatility across left-back, centre-back and midfield attracted Chelle.

Umar Abubakar

Abubakar caught the attention of Eric Chelle after building an intriguing development story.

Born in Kano, Abubakar is a product of Nigeria academy Footwork FC where his talents earned him a spot with the Golden Eaglets. The youngster was a member of the Nigeria squad to the 2023 U-17 Africa Cup of Nations.

Nigeria failed to make it past the quarterfinals of that tournament but Abubakar sealed a loan move to Belgium shortly after.

The 20-year-old Famalicão striker scored 21 goals in only 27 games for Jong Gent during his loan spell before earning his move to Portugal and his first senior Nigeria invitation.

His current opportunities have mostly come from the bench, but Russia offers a vastly larger stage to demonstrate that his youth-level scoring instincts can translate into senior football.

Abdullahi Umar

The 19-year-old Hradec Králové forward is another player whose invitation signals Chelle’s interest in Nigeria’s next attacking generation.

Umar scored 25 goals at Under-19 level before progressing into senior football in the Czech Republic. He has also scored twice in European qualifying this season, including a two-goal performance against Panathinaikos in the Conference League.

A strong showing in Nizhny Novgorod would give Chelle evidence that Umar deserves to be considered beyond development duty.

Chibuzo Nwoko

Super Eagles invitee Chibby Nwoko of Fulham. Photo by IMAGO

Chibby Nwoko could be Nigeria's next Alex Iwobi, a young talent gifted enough to bear Nigeria's playmaking responsibility for the next decade.

The Fulham midfielder, who previously represented England at Under-18 level, accepted his first Super Eagles invitation for the Russia friendly.

The 20-year-old has featured regularly for Fulham Under-21 this season, including a 90-minute appearance against Chelsea Under-21 on September 19. He also made senior Fulham debut last month against Wimbledon in the Carabao Cup.

Capable of playing as a six, eight or 10, Nwoko could be fast-tracked to the main Super Eagles to understudy Iwobi and possibly play besides the former Arsenal man.

A disciplined performance against Russia could turn his first Nigeria call-up into the beginning of a senior international career.