Super Eagles Target Victory Against Russia After Guinea-Bissau Defeat
Super Eagles Target Victory Against Russia After Guinea-Bissau Defeat
Nigeria’s Super Eagles will aim to return to winning ways when they face Russia in an international friendly at the Nizhny Novgorod Stadium on Tuesday.
The encounter comes after a mixed start to Nigeria’s 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign, with the Super Eagles securing a 2–1 comeback victory over Madagascar in Uyo before suffering a 3–0 defeat to Guinea-Bissau in Bissau.
The result against Guinea-Bissau left Nigeria second in Group L, with the team now using the friendly against Russia as an opportunity to improve its performance and build momentum ahead of the next round of qualifiers.
Forward Akor Adams said the team is determined to respond positively, revealing that head coach Éric Chelle had made winning the friendly a clear objective.
“There are a lot of new boys in the squad, but it’s still the Super Eagles,” Adams said in an interview with NFF TV, adding that the players were expected to give their best and produce a positive result.
Nigeria will, however, enter the encounter with a depleted squad. Captain Wilfred Ndidi is unavailable after sustaining a knock in the Guinea-Bissau match, while Raphael Onyedika was prevented from travelling by his club, Eintracht Frankfurt. Bright Osayi-Samuel is also unavailable, while other players have withdrawn because of injuries, club restrictions and documentation issues.
The Super Eagles previously faced Russia in June 2025, with both sides playing out a 1–1 draw in Moscow.
Tuesday’s friendly is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. local time in Russia, which is 5:00 p.m. Nigerian time.
