Nigerian football supporters have expressed mixed reactions following the Super Eagles’ 1–1 draw against Russia in an international friendly played on Friday evening at the Luzhniki Stadium.
Although the Russians dominated large spells of the encounter, Nigeria managed to snatch a draw thanks to a resilient second-half performance.
The host nation took the lead in the first half through an unfortunate own goal by Nigerian defender Semi Ajayi. However, Nigeria found an equaliser after the break, courtesy of a well-taken goal by Tolu Arokodare, earning Eric Chelle’s side a share of the spoils.
In the aftermath of the match, fans took to social media platform X (formerly Twitter) to voice their opinions ranging from praise for certain players to criticism of others and commentary on the tactical decisions made by the coaching staff.
A number of fans highlighted the outstanding performance of goalkeeper Maduka Okoye, crediting him with keeping Nigeria in the game. Others expressed concern about the effectiveness of striker Victor Boniface, who they believe underperformed during the match.
Here are some of the notable fan reactions:
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@IpineraYomi: “The Russians were clearly dominant, but Arokodare saved us. As for Boniface, he really needs to show what he brings to this team. I wouldn’t be surprised if he stops getting called up.”
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@NielAkins: “Solid second half from the Eagles. But it’s clear we need more creativity in midfield.”
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@Omachi_cc: “Maduka Okoye really stepped up today. Good performance overall.”
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@bright___r: “For me, the highlight of the match was Maduka Okoye’s heroics. He kept us in the game.”
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@iAmPODii: “Our coach needs to be more proactive with substitutions. Friendlies are meant for experimentation, but he waited too long to make changes.”
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@ManuNaija: “Is Boniface struggling because of the formation? Or is he just not delivering at international level?”
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@IkennaUche: “Solid outing. We still have work to do, but this team is improving. Remember when people doubted Chelle’s appointment? He’s still unbeaten.”
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@EdusasEdu: “If Nigeria had won, who knows how this would’ve ended? Let’s not get carried away! #RUSNGA”
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@Iivnande: “Boniface is talented. I think he’d be more effective playing behind a main striker rather than leading the line himself.”
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@Temidontlie: “Time is ticking. Boniface needs to start proving himself in national colours. #RUSNGA”
The friendly match was part of Nigeria’s ongoing preparations for future international competitions, including the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers. While the result was respectable, fans remain divided on the team’s readiness and the performances of individual players.
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