DistantNews
Support us
🇳🇬 Nigeria /Sports

Nigeria’s Super Eagles and Russia Set for Second Friendly in 16 Months

From The Punch · () English

Translated from English and summarized by DistantNews. Read the original for the full story.

At a glance

News Official statement New plan
  • Nigeria will face Russia at Nizhny Novgorod Stadium on October 6, 2026, in an international friendly confirmed by the Nigeria Football Federation.
  • The teams drew 1-1 in Moscow in June 2025, with Russia scoring through a Semi Ajayi own goal before Tolu Arokodare equalised.
  • Russia has been barred from official FIFA and UEFA competitions since 2022 and has arranged friendlies to maintain competitive activity.

Nigeria’s Super Eagles will meet Russia again in an international friendly on October 6, 2026, at Nizhny Novgorod Stadium.

The Nigeria Football Federation announced the fixture on its official X account, describing it as the “second meeting between both nations in 16 months.” The federation said Nigeria’s FIFA match agent, Jairo Pachon of Eurodatasports, confirmed the game.

The teams last played in Moscow in June 2025, when they drew 1-1. Russia took the lead in the 27th minute after Nigeria defender Semi Ajayi scored an own goal. Tolu Arokodare equalised for Nigeria in the 71st minute.

second meeting between both nations in 16 months

· Nigeria Football FederationThe federation described the upcoming match in its announcement.

Russia held 58 percent of possession in that match and recorded 10 shots to Nigeria’s six. The October fixture will give both teams another chance to test their squads ahead of their respective international engagements.

Russia has remained barred from official FIFA and UEFA competitions since 2022. It has instead relied on friendly matches against national teams, including several from Africa, to maintain competitive activity.

The fixture has been confirmed by Nigeria’s FIFA Match Agent, Jairo Pachon of Eurodatasports.

· Nigeria Football FederationThe federation confirmed the fixture arrangements.
About this summary

Originally published by The Punch in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized automatically by DistantNews, with a note on how the source frames the story. Not individually reviewed before publishing. How this works.

More Stories

From Our Blog