Super Eagles head coach Éric Chelle has revealed that a tactical change involving his strikers helped Nigeria fight back from two goals down to secure a 3-3 draw against Russia in Tuesday’s international friendly.
Nigeria appeared destined for defeat after Russia established a 3-1 lead, but substitute Peter Edokpolor reduced the deficit in the 78th minute before Akor Adams struck deep into stoppage time to rescue a draw.
Chelle said the tactical adjustment allowed Nigeria to exploit spaces in transition.
“We found a solution because tactically we changed something about our strikers,” the Malian coach said. “At the end of the second half, they did not find a solution, and that is why we scored two goals in transition.”
The Super Eagles made a bright start at the Nizhny Novgorod Stadium, with Kelechi Iheanacho opening the scoring after 10 minutes.
Russia responded strongly, with Lechi Sadulaev equalising before the break. Matvey Kislyak and Aleksey Miranchuk then extended the hosts’ advantage in the second half.
Chelle admitted Russia enjoyed the better moments around the end of the first half and beginning of the second.
However, he praised his players for their response after falling two goals behind.
“The second half of my team was very good. I applauded my players,” he said.
The result provides Nigeria with a morale boost following their 3-0 defeat to Guinea-Bissau in the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers, where the Super Eagles sit second in Group L with three points.
Nigeria have now drawn both meetings with Russia, following their 1-1 stalemate in Moscow in June 2025.
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