Nigeria set for Russia rematch in October

Nigeria will face Russia in an international friendly at the 44,000-capacity Nizhny Novgorod Stadium on October 6, with the encounter coming 16 months after both sides played out a 1-1 draw in Moscow, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.

The previous meeting at the Luzhniki Stadium in June 2025 saw Russia take the lead through an own goal by Semi Ajayi before Tolu Arokodare equalised for the Super Eagles in the second half.

The latest encounter was confirmed by Nigeria’s FIFA Match Agent, Jairo Pachon of Eurodatasports, and will be the second meeting between both countries in 16 months.

The fixture has been scheduled exactly one week after Nigeria’s second 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying game against Guinea-Bissau in Bissau on September 29.

Eric Chelle’s side will open their AFCON qualifying campaign at home to Madagascar on September 25 before travelling to Guinea-Bissau four days later. The Russia friendly will provide another opportunity for Chelle to assess his squad ahead of their subsequent international commitments.

The Super Eagles are ranked 26th in the world, while Russia occupy 35th position. The match will be played at the Nizhny Novgorod Stadium, which hosted games during the 2018 FIFA World Cup.

Nigeria head into the encounter after missing out on the 2026 World Cup, but have continued to arrange international tests, including a 2-2 draw with Poland and a 2-1 defeat to Portugal in recent friendlies.

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