Super Eagles and Russia to clash in friendly on October 6

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

The encounter will hold exactly a week after the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations matchday two qualifying match between the Super Eagles and Guinea-Bissau’s Wild Dogs, slated for Bissau on Tuesday, 29 September. Head coach Eric Chelle’s side will begin their AFCON 2027 qualifying campaign with a home fixture against the Barea of Madagascar on Friday, 25 September.

Nigeria and Russia previously played out a 1-1 draw in another friendly at Moscow’s Luzhniki Stadium on 6 June, 2025. An own goal by defender Semi Ajayi in the first half put the hosts in front before Nigeria leveled in the second half through Tolu Arokodare.

The Super Eagles are currently ranked 26th in the world FIFA rankings, while Russia’s ‘Our Boys’ occupy the 35th position.