The Super Eagles will return to Russia in October for another meeting with the Sbornaya, just 16 months after the two nations played out a 1-1 draw in Moscow, with the Nigeria Football Federation confirming the friendly as part of the team’s preparations for subsequent international assignments, Footynaija.com reports.
Nigeria will face Russia at the Nizhny Novgorod Stadium on Tuesday, October 6, in what will be only the second meeting between the two countries at senior international level.
As confirmed by Nigeria’s FIFA Match Agent, Jairo Pachon of Eurodatasports, the first meeting was in June 2025, when the Super Eagles travelled to Moscow after their successful Unity Cup campaign in England.
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Nigeria had beaten Ghana 2-1 before edging Jamaica on penalties in the final, and the Russia game gave Eric Chelle another chance to assess his squad.
It ended 1-1 at the Luzhniki Stadium. Russia took the lead in the 27th minute after Semi Ajayi inadvertently turned the ball into his own net, but Tolu Arokodare came off the bench to equalise in the 71st minute and earn Nigeria a share of the spoils.
Super Eagles return to Russia
The second meeting comes at an interesting point for the Super Eagles. After the 1-1 draw in Moscow, former NFF president Ibrahim Gusau said the friendly had helped the technical crew assess new players and identify more options across the squad.
The October meeting gives Nigeria another chance to assess the squad against the same opponent.
Russia will also enter the game as part of their October programme. The Russian Football Union confirmed that Valery Karpin’s team will face Namibia on October 3 before taking on Nigeria three days later in Nizhny Novgorod.
For the Super Eagles, the match will offer another competitive test away from home and another opportunity for Chelle to assess his options.
