It has been a fairly even match between Russia and the Super Eagles even though the home team lead by a goal going into the interval.
The Super Eagles started the brighter of the two teams as they both tried to size each other early in the contest.
The Nigerians high pressing appeared to be a big worry for the host team , but they weathered the storm and began to dictate the game for them to be rewarded in the 27th minute, when they cut through the right side of the defence with defender Semi Ajayi eventually putting the ball into his own net.
The Super Eagles then chased the game and ought to have drawn level four minutes to halftime, when Fisayo Dele-Bashiru broke free from the right flank, he came face-to-face with the Russian goalkeeper, who did well to pull off the biggest save of the match thus far.
There is verything to play for in the second half if this first-ever meeting between these two sides.
Eagles Starting XI vs Russia
Maduka Okoye – Onyemaechi, Osayi-Samuel, Semi Ajayi, Ekong (Captain) – Frank Onyeka, Dele Bashiru, Raphael Onyedika- Moses Simon, Victor Boniface, Chrisantus Uche
