Super Eagles vs Russia: 5 things Nigeria should know about Yashin Trophy nominee Matvey Safonov

Former Super Eagles striker John Utaka has given Nigeria an intriguing warning ahead of Tuesday’s meeting with Russia, Afrik-Foot reports.

The former Portsmouth and Montpellier winger has backed Paris Saint-Germain goalkeeper Matvey Safonov to win the Yashin Trophy.

“Matvey Safonov is an excellent goalkeeper with incredible talent. He has a chance to become the best goalkeeper of the year,” Utaka told Euro Football.

Utaka’s praise for Safonov comes just days before Nigeria’s Super Eagles face Russia in an international friendly at the Nizhny Novgorod Stadium.

It is the second time the former African champions would face the 2018 World Cup hosts in 16 months following a 1-1 draw in Moscow last year.

Nigeria have already found a way past Safonov, and the Super Eagles will know exactly where one of the nominees for the world’s top goalkeeper award can be vulnerable.

Super Eagles: Things to know about Russia goalkeeper Matvey Safonov

1. Safonov is a genuine Yashin Trophy contender

Safonov is one of 10 nominees for the 2026 Yashin Trophy alongside Yassine Bounou, Thibaut Courtois, Gregor Kobel, Joan García, Édouard Mendy, Emiliano Martínez, David Raya, Vozinha and Unai Simón.

His nomination follows a breakthrough campaign at PSG in which he established himself as a major figure during the Champions League knockout rounds and started the final against Arsenal on 30 May. PSG won the final on penalties after a 1-1 draw.

2. He is particularly dangerous in penalty situations

Nigeria’s Super Eagles should think twice before allowing the Russia game to drift towards a shootout.

Safonov saved four of Flamengo’s five penalties in PSG’s 2025 Intercontinental Cup final victory, becoming the first PSG goalkeeper in the 21st century to stop four penalties in one shootout.

He also stopped five penalties or shootout attempts from seven faced during the 2025-26 season, the highest total among goalkeepers in Europe’s five major leagues.

3. His reflexes can frustrate Nigeria’s forwards

At 1.92m, Safonov combines considerable reach with sharp reactions. On multiple occasions, the former Krasnodar goalie has displayed his ability to make spectacular saves despite his size, while his 74.6 per cent save rate ranked second among Ligue 1’s goalkeepers in 2025-26.

He also produced eight saves against Lens in one PSG victory, a figure surpassed by only two PSG goalkeepers in the previous 15 years.

4. Nigeria’s Super Eagles have already exposed his weakness

This is the detail Eric Chelle’s attack should remember.

On 6 June 2025, Nigeria drew 1-1 with Russia at Moscow’s Luzhniki Stadium after Tolu Arokodare punished Safonov’s poor clearance in the 71st minute. The striker intercepted the goalkeeper’s underhit pass before firing into the far corner.

Safonov had earlier denied Fisayo Dele-Bashiru from point blank range, but his mistake handed Arokodare his first Super Eagles goal.

5. Russia’s No.1 arrives with another clean sheet

Safonov kept a clean sheet in Russia’s 2-0 victory over Iran on 29 September, strengthening his case for another start against Nigeria.

Starting in goal under manager Valery Karpin, Safonov played the full 90 minutes and earned praise as one of the standout performers alongside brace-scorer Aleksandr Golovin.

The 27-year-old maintained a 100 percent save record in the encounter after he stopped all the three shots Iran had on target.

Safonov, therefore, arrives for the clash with Nigeria’s Super Eagles in top form and high confidence.

Chelle will, however, hope his attack, led by in-form Super Eagles and Bursaspor striker Kelechi Iheanacho, is motivated enough to get the better of Safonov and Russia.