Former Nigeria international Osaze Odemwingie has backed the omission of Victor Osimhen and Ademola Lookman from the Nigerian squad to take on Russia and Ghana in the upcoming friendly games.

The former striker expressed satisfaction over the manager’s decision to bring fresh talent to the Nigeria national team.

Nigeria will tackle Russia in a high-profile international friendly.

The coach of the Super Eagles, Eric Chelle, included four uncapped players in Nigeria’s 21-man squad to face Russia.

Osimhen, Lookman, Alex Iwobi, and Calvin Bassey are all excluded from the squad for the friendly in Moscow on June 6.

Speaking in an interview with Championat, Odemwingie, who spent years in clubs in Russia, said, “I like it when new names appear, there will be more competition for the main players.”

The former Russian-based striker pointed out that Nigeria, as a home of football talents, “cannot always rely on the same players.”

Victor Osimhen and Ademola Lookman are arguably the best players in the Super Eagles team at the moment.

However, Nigeria’s Malian coach decided to overlook them for the upcoming friendly games to offer opportunities to other players.