Super Eagles XI vs Russia: Chelle names 5 debutants in Nigeria starting lineup

Super Eagles boss Eric Chelle has included five players in line to make their senior international debuts in Nigeria's starting lineup for this afternoon's clash with Russia.

Chelle has opted for a youthful and experimental team for the clash, with several established names absent from the squad. The decision gives a group of relatively unfamiliar players a huge opportunity to stake their claim for a place in Nigeria's plans.

The most eye-catching selection comes in goal, where James Samuel has been preferred ahead of regular first-choice goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali.

Samuel will have a demanding afternoon against a Russia side that arrives with confidence after its emphatic 6-0 victory over Namibia in its previous friendly.

Chelle hands five players their big Super Eagles chance

The defence features Abdullahi Bewene, Emmanuel Fernandez and Benjamin Fredrick, with Alverca left-back Isaac James completing the back four.

James, who has earned his first senior call-up after impressing at club level, is in line for his Super Eagles debut and will be under immediate pressure against Russia's attacking players.

Chelle has gone even further with his experimentation in midfield for a match that can be watched on AfroSport TV.

Adeoye, who earns his third Nigeria cap, provides the only player in the four-man midfield with previous senior international experience. He will be joined by Igor Wilfred, Michael Stephen and Fulham midfielder Chibby Nwoko, all of whom are set to make their Super Eagles debuts.

The midfield quartet will have the difficult task of matching Russia's physicality and controlling possession against a team that has shown it can punish opponents in transition.

Up front, Moses Simon will captain Nigeria, with the experienced Paris FC winger expected to provide leadership to a side containing so many new faces. Kelechi Iheanacho completes the attack and brings valuable international experience to an otherwise unfamiliar forward line.

The Super Eagles starting XI is therefore:

James Samuel; Bewene, Fernandez, Fredrick, Isaac James; Adeoye, Igor Wilfred, Michael Stephen, Chibby Nwoko; Moses Simon, Kelechi Iheanacho.

On the substitute bench, Chelle can call on the experience of Nwabali and Venezia forward Akor Adams. Tromsø defender Vince Osuji, Rostov winger Ibraheem Ajasa and the attacking duo of Abubakar Umar and Umar Abdullahi could all come in to make their Super Eagles debut.