The Super Eagles have been handed a significant boost ahead of Tuesday’s friendly against Russia, with Monaco midfielder Aleksandr Golovin and Krasnodar striker Dmitry Vorobyov both ruled out of the clash in Nizhny Novgorod, Footynaija reports.
Golovin’s absence is particularly notable after the 30-year-old played a starring role in Russia’s 2-0 victory over Iran on September 29, scoring both goals in Kazan before suffering an ankle injury.
He has since failed to return to training and was released back to Monaco after Russia coach Valery Karpin confirmed the injury would prevent him from featuring against Namibia.
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Karpin revealed that Golovin could have recovered sufficiently to play some part against Nigeria on October 6, but Russia opted against taking the risk because the fixtures are unofficial.
“Golovin could have played for a while against Nigeria,” Karpin said, according to Ria. “But, as the match is unofficial, there is no reason to risk him.”
Vorobyov has also left the Russian camp, further reducing Karpin’s attacking options. The Krasnodar forward’s departure means Nigeria will face a Russia side without two players who were initially part of the squad for the October window.
Russia will first face Namibia in Yekaterinburg on Saturday before meeting Eric Chelle’s Super Eagles at the 44,000-capacity Nizhny Novgorod Stadium on Tuesday, October 6 at 19:00 local time.
The fixture comes after Nigeria’s 3-0 defeat by Guinea-Bissau in their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign, giving Chelle’s side an immediate opportunity to respond against a Russian team that drew 1-1 with Nigeria in their previous meeting in Moscow in June 2025.
