Nigeria’s Super Eagles return to action on Tuesday when they face Russia in an international friendly at the Nizhny Novgorod Stadium, Footynaija reports.
Eric Chelle’s side are seeking a response after their 3-0 defeat by Guinea-Bissau in the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.
Nigeria face a confident Russia side that thrashed Namibia 6-0 on Saturday, with five different players finding the net. Valery Karpin’s men have now won four consecutive matches, scoring at least twice in each.
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Chelle, however, has selected a largely experimental squad, giving several fringe players an opportunity to make their case.
Russia v Nigeria: Head-to-head
This will be only the second meeting between the nations. Their first encounter, in Moscow in June 2025, ended 1-1. Semi Ajayi’s own goal put Russia ahead before Tolu Arokodare equalised for Nigeria.
Russia v Nigeria: Recent results
Russia: Russia 6-0 Namibia; Russia 2-0 Iran; Russia 1-0 Qatar; Russia 1-0 Zambia.
Nigeria: Guinea-Bissau 3-0 Nigeria; Nigeria 2-1 Madagascar; Portugal 2-1 Nigeria.
Russia’s four-match winning run gives them the stronger recent record heading into the encounter.
Russia v Nigeria: Key players
Kelechi Iheanacho is one of Nigeria’s most experienced attacking options and will be eager to turn his club form into an international performance.
Russia will miss the services of Aleksandr Golovin their major creative threat who scored twice against Iran but Konstantin Tyukavin provides another danger in attack.
Russia v Nigeria: Team news
Nigeria will be without Wilfred Ndidi, Victory Akpe and Bright Osayi-Samuel. Vince Osuji and John Otomewo have been called up, while Ibraheem Mahfus Ajasa was added following Osayi-Samuel’s withdrawal.
Stanley Nwabali, Moses Simon, Akor Adams and Iheanacho are among the senior players available.
Russia v Nigeria: Possible lineups
Russia: Agkatsev; Adamov, Melyokhin, Osipenko, Beveev; Karpukas, Prutsev, Umyarov; Miranchuk, Sadulayev, Tyukavin.
Nigeria: Nwabali; Isaac James, Fernandez, Benjamin, Igboke; Onyedika, Nwoko, Stephen Michael; Simon, Adams, Iheanacho.
Match details
Match: Russia vs Nigeria
Date: Tuesday, October 6, 2026
Venue: Nizhny Novgorod Stadium, Russia
Competition: International Friendly
The stadium has a capacity of 44,000 and hosted matches during the 2018 FIFA World Cup.
Match/score prediction
Russia’s momentum and home advantage make them favourites, particularly after the Namibia demolition. Nigeria’s experimental side should still have enough attacking quality to compete.
