Head coach of the senior national team of Nigeria Eric Chelle will hand senior international debut to four players when Nigeria take on Russia in an international friendly game later today, OwnGoalNigeria.com can exclusively reveal.
Chelle is without most of his regulars, but he has always wanted to use the game to try out players he intends to use in his role as the coach of the U23 for the Olympics.
The unavailability of most of his preferred players means he now has the chance to start as many as four of them in the game, which is the second between both nations in one year. The first one ended in a 1-1 draw.
In defence Isaac James will be handed his international bow at left back, after impressing in two straight seasons in the Portuguese top flight with Alverca.
The midfield has the trio of Igor Wilfred, Chibuzo Nwoko and Michael Stephen pushing for who will be behind Kelechi Iheanacho in a three man midfield.
In attack the trio of Peter Edokpolor, Umar Abdullahi and Abubakar Umar are pushing for a spot to start alongside the duo of Moses Simon and Akor Adams.
Barring a late minute change, below is how the team will line up.
Starting XI: Nwabali Bewene, Fredrick, Fernandez, James, Nwoko, Stephen, Iheanacho, Simon, Akor, Umar.
