When the two nations last met in June 2025 at Moscow’s Luzhniki Stadium, Valery Karpin’s Football Union of Russia – who have been suspended by FIFA and UEFA since October 2022 – saw their eight-game winning run snapped.
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Russia took the lead just before the half hour mark and slightly against the run of play when Semi Ajayi sent the ball into his own net.
Looking ahead to the rematch and the Super Eagles’ preparations have been thrown into turmoil as head coach Eric Chelle has been left a squad of 18 players after seven withdrawals.
While captain Wilfred Ndidi and defender Victory Akpe are unavailable because of injury, Raphael Onyedika, Bright Osayi-Samuel and Ridwan Abdulrasaq Popoola have been stopped from travelling to Russia by their respective clubs.
Wilfred Ndidi will not feature for Nigeria against Russia
Getty
Then when factoring in Suleiman Mubarak not being able to travel due to not securing a resident permit and LASK denying Moses Usor permission to fly to Russia, it raises the question as to why this friendly is taking place.
Why are Nigeria facing Russia again?
There has been no official explanation as to why Nigeria have organised a second friendly with Russia in the space of 16 months, especially as the match is not recognised by FIFA or UEFA as both football governing bodies have placed an indefinite ban on the Russia national teams.
The ban was put in place following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022, and the conflict remains unresolved.
With Russia also facing Cameroon, Kenya, Zambia, Mali, Egypt, Burkina Faso and Namibia since the ban was put in place, it would appear that African nations are much more keener to play them in comparison to the rest of the world.
From a Nigeria perspective, the game does allow Chelle to have a closer look at several players as he continues preparations for the Africa Cup of Nations qualification double-header against Tanzania in November.
Once again, the Super Eagles boss will be without Oshimen after he sat out the Madagascar and Guinea-Bissau games with an injury.
Furthermore, the likes of Alex Iwobi, Ademola Lookman, Calvin Bassey, Ola Aina, Samuel Chukwueze, Arokodare and Arthur Okonkwo were never named in the squad list for today’s international friendly.
Absent: Victor Osimhen
AFP/Getty
Where to watch Russia vs Nigeria
TV channel: No UK broadcaster has been announced for Russia vs Nigeria, which kicks off at 5pm BST.
Live stream: But have no fear. According to popular TV listings website LiveOnSat, the match is being shown AfroSport TV.
Meanwhile, the match is also set to be shown in Russia on Channel One, with Okko providing a streaming option.