Super Eagles to face Russia in October friendly

The Super Eagles of Nigeria will face Russia in an international friendly at the Nizhny Novgorod Stadium on Oct. 6.

Nigeria’s FIFA Match Agent, Jairo Pachon of Eurodatasports, confirmed the fixture on Tuesday.

It was reported that the encounter will be the second meeting between both countries in 16 months.

The two sides had previously met in a friendly at the Luzhniki Stadium, Moscow, on June 6, 2025, playing out a 1-1 draw.

Russia took the lead through an own goal by Nigerian defender Semi Ajayi in the first half.

Tolu Arokodare, however, restored parity for Nigeria after the break to secure the draw.

The match came days after Nigeria retained the Afro-Caribbean Unity Cup Football Tournament trophy in London.

The Super Eagles, in spite of missing out on qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the USA, Canada and Mexico, successfully defended the Unity Cup title in London.

Nigeria subsequently drew 2-2 with Poland in Warsaw before suffering a narrow 1-2 defeat to Portugal in Meira.

The 44,000-capacity Nizhny Novgorod Stadium, which hosted matches during the 2018 FIFA World Cup, will stage Russia’s second international match at the venue.

Russia defeated Cyprus 1-0 at the stadium in June 2019 in a UEFA Euro 2020 qualifying fixture.

The Super Eagles are currently ranked 26th in the world, while their Russian counterparts, nicknamed “Our Boys”, occupy the 35th position.

The friendly will come exactly one week after Nigeria’s 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifying fixture against Guinea-Bissau.

The Super Eagles are scheduled to face Guinea-Bissau’s Wild Dogs in Bissau on Sept. 29.

Nigeria will begin their 2027 AFCON qualifying campaign, four days earlier when they host Madagascar at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium, Uyo.