Super Eagles captain William Troost-Ekong says the Nigeria will approach Friday’s friendly against Russia by blending tactical approaches, as they continue building under head coach Eric Chelle.
The match, to be held in Moscow, forms part of Nigeria’s preparations for upcoming World Cup qualifiers, and Troost-Ekong believes it offers a valuable opportunity for growth.
“Tomorrow we will try to combine different styles – we have an understanding of how to act,” the Saudi Arabia-based centre-back said during a press conference on Thursday.
“We’ve only been working with the coach since the beginning of the year, and this match is a good chance to make our team stronger and continue progressing.”
READ MORE: Chelle: Nigeria set for serious test against ‘strong’ Russia
The former Watford defender, who featured at the 2018 World Cup in Russia, said the team’s mindset is focused and professional.
William Troost-Ekong wasn’t part of the Super Eagles Squad for the Unity Cup but joined the team in Russia. Photo Credit: Getty Images
“We took a brief walk around the city yesterday and visited Red Square, but make no mistake we’re here to work. This is not a tourist trip, the coach and I have already discussed our game plan.” he said.
The friendly follows Nigeria’s 5-4 penalty shoot-out win over Jamaica in the 2025 Unity Cup on Sunday, after the match ended 2-2 in regular time.
CLICK HERE TO JOIN THE ATHLETIC NG WHATSAPP GROUP CHAT NOW!
With several new players in the squad, Troost-Ekong noted that the fixture is also an opportunity for them to impress.
“There are new players in the squad this is a great opportunity for them to show how they meet the expectations of the coaching staff,” he added.
Russia, who are also expected to experiment with their line-up, will host Nigeria at the VTB Arena in Moscow on Friday by 6pm Nigerian time.
