Sports
NFF President Ibrahim Gusau Outline Gains of Super Eagles’ Friendly Against Russia
Joel Ajayi
As anticipation builds for the Super Eagles’ high-profile friendly match against the Russian national team on June 6 in Moscow, President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Alhaji Ibrahim Musa Gusau, has outlined several strategic gains for the national team from the international encounter.
Speaking further, Gusau assured Nigerians that there were no concerns regarding sanctions from FIFA or diplomatic backlash over the fixture. He emphasized that the match was fully sanctioned by FIFA, and that all players and officials secured their Russian entry visas through the embassy in Abuja.
“This match is a crucial step in the team’s evolution under our new head coach, Eric Chelle,” Gusau stated. “It’s not just about the result. It’s about learning, development, and team cohesion. These are the kinds of games we need to grow.”
Gusau explained that the fixture provides a rare opportunity for Coach Chelle to experiment with different formations and assess how players respond under pressure from a strong European side.
“Russia is a disciplined and physically dominant team. This kind of test will help our coaching crew evaluate tactical systems and make important adjustments going forward,” he said
With several emerging and returning players in the Super Eagles camp, Gusau believes the friendly will be a perfect platform to gauge their readiness.
“We are building for the future, and we need to understand our depth. The coaches will be watching closely to see who is ready to step up for AFCON and World Cup qualifiers,” he added.
Gusau stressed the importance of playing top-tier international opponents in preparation for major tournaments.
“Russia has scored over 31 goals in their last six friendlies. They beat Belarus 5-0, Vietnam 3-0, Brunei 11-0, Syria 4-0, and recently defeated both Grenada and Zambia 5-0 each in March 2025. This kind of opposition will truly test our mettle.”
Amid speculation over possible sanctions due to international tensions involving Russia, Gusau was unequivocal:
“This match is FIFA-approved. Every process, including visa issuance and formal clearances, has followed global football protocols. There are no fears on that front.”
Gusau reaffirmed the NFF’s dedication to ensuring the Super Eagles have consistent access to top-quality international friendlies.
“We will make sure that every FIFA window is used to build a stronger, more competitive Super Eagles team. Russia is just the beginning. The future of Nigerian football depends on constant testing and development.”
The Super Eagles’ fixture against Russia is seen as a significant step in preparing the team for a new era under Eric Chelle, with the 2025 AFCON and 2026 World Cup qualifiers firmly in focus.
Sports
Montage Community Football Tourney Registration Ends October 30
Cyril Ogar
Registration for the 2026 edition of the Montage Community Football Tournament will close on Friday, October 30, organisers have announced.
The tournament coordinator, Mr Raphael Ekpang, disclosed this on Thursday, urging interested teams across the six Area Councils of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to take advantage of the remaining days to register.
Ekpang said registration had been ongoing since Monday, encouraging eligible teams to complete the process before the deadline.
The tournament, themed “Montage FM 99.7: Empowering Youth, Uniting Communities Through Football,” is scheduled to kick off on November 3, 2026, with playoffs across the six Area Councils of the FCT.
The grand finale will hold on December 5, 2026, at the Old Parade Ground, Garki Area 10, Abuja, where the top four teams will compete for first-, second- and third-place honours.
A total of 48 teams will participate in the competition, with eight teams representing each of the six Area Councils.
The participating teams will compete for cash prizes worth over ₦2 million and other valuable rewards.
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