Victor Boniface will lead the Super Eagles attack in Friday’s international friendly with Russia at the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow, Afrosport reports.
The Bayer Leverkusen forward last started for the national team in the 2-1 defeat at home to Rwanda in the 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers last November and will be hoping to add to his international tally, with only one goal and one assist to his name so far.
He will play alongside Nantes star Moses Simon while Getafe attacker Christantus Uche will play behind the two, in what is his first-ever starting for the Super Eagles, having come off the bench in the Unity Cup final against Jamaica, scoring the winning penalty in the shootout.
The midfield comprises of Club Brugge’s Raphael Onyedika as the anchor and is supported by Brentford loanee Frank Onyeka and Hatayspor loanee Fisayo Dele-Bashiru, who also returns to the starting lineup since the defeat to Rwanda.
The defence is made up of West Bromwich Albion’s Semi Ajayi and Al-Kholood’s William Troost-Ekong as captain while Fenerbahce’s Bright Osayi-Samuel starts at right-back and Olympiacos’ Bruno Onyemaechi at left-back.
Udinese’s Maduka Okoye will man the goal post in place of regular face Stanley Nwabali.
XI vs #Russia #soarsupereagles
Click link to watch: https://t.co/BGYmqvO7Bd pic.twitter.com/t0KAJo8ZBJ
— 🇳🇬 Super Eagles (@NGSuperEagles) June 6, 2025
The friendly will be the first-ever meeting between Russia and Nigeria and continues the Super Eagles preparations towards qualification for the next year’s World Cup in Canada, the United States, and Mexico.
