Super Eagles vs Russia: Kick-off time, venue, squad, history and 7 key things to know

Nigeria’s Super Eagles return to action on Tuesday with Russia waiting in Nizhny Novgorod, Afrik-Foot reports.

Head coach Éric Chelle will get a rare chance to inspect a radically reshaped squad after the bruising start to Nigeria’s 2027 AFCON campaign.

The date, venue and kick-off

Nigeria face Russia on Tuesday, October 6, 2026, at the 44,000-capacity Nizhny Novgorod Stadium, a 2018 World Cup venue. Kick-off is scheduled for 7pm Russian time, 5pm GMT and 6pm Nigerian time.

This is the Super Eagles’ second meeting with Russia

The teams have met only once at senior level, with Russia and Nigeria drawing 1-1 at Moscow’s Luzhniki Stadium on June 6, 2025. Russia took the lead through Semi Ajayi’s 27th-minute own goal, before substitute Tolu Arokodare came off the bench to net the equaliser in the 71st minute.

The Super Eagles are placed 26th on the current FIFA world ranking while Russia sit nine spots behind at 35th.

Chelle has picked a very different Nigeria

Chelle named a separate 24-man squad for the friendly, leaving several headline names from the AFCON qualifiers out.

Wilfred Ndidi, Stanley Nwabali and Moses Simon provide experience, while first-time senior invitees include Samuel James, Victory Akpe, Stephen Michael, Ridwan Abdulrasaq and Peter Edokpolor. Kelechi Iheanacho and Akor Adams are also available.

Osimhen, Lookman and Iwobi are absent

Nigeria’s attacking firepower will look markedly different without Victor Osimhen and Ademola Lookman, while Alex Iwobi is also missing from the Russia group. The selection instead gives Chelle a closer look at players competing for future places in his senior squad.

Russia arrive with Golovin flying

Russia opened this international window with a 2-0 victory over Iran in Kazan on September 29, with Monaco midfielder Aleksandr Golovin scoring both goals. The 30-year-old’s first came in the 21st minute and his second arrived from a free-kick in the 36th, taking him to 11 international goals in 53 appearances.

6. Russia are still outside official UEFA competition

Russia have been suspended from FIFA and UEFA competitions since February 2022, meaning their international calendar has largely consisted of friendlies. Like Nigeria’s Super Eagles, the Russians did not participate at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

7. Nigeria need a response after Bissau

The friendly arrives only a week after Nigeria’s Super Eagles suffered a damaging 3-0 defeat against Guinea-Bissau in AFCON qualifying on September 29.

The Russia game carries no qualifying points, but it gives Chelle a stage to test new players, assess squad depth and begin shaping the next generation of Super Eagles options.

24 Super Eagles for friendly match versus ‘The Boys’ of Russia

Goalkeepers: Michael Atata (Ikorodu City); Samuel James (SJK FC, Finland); Stanley Nwabali (Chippa United, South Africa)

Defenders: Kenneth Igboke (Enugu Rangers); Isaac James (Alverca FC, Portugal); Benjamin Fredricks (Brentford FC, England); Emmanuel Fernandez (Glasgow Rangers, Scotland); Victory Akpe (FC Basel, Switzerland); Bright Osayi-Samuel (Birmingham FC, England); Abdullahi Bewene (FC Banik Ostrava, Czechia)

Midfielders: Wilfred Ndidi (Besiktas FC, Turkey); Raphael Onyedika (Eintracht Frankfurt, Germany); Chibuzo Nwoko (Fulham FC, England); Stephen Michael (Vendsyssel FF, Denmark); Igor Wilfred (Kristiansund FC, Norway); Ridwan Abdulrasaq (Al Wasl, UAE); Suleiman Mubarak (Slavia Prague, Czechia); Aderemi Adeoye (Ikorodu City);

Forwards: Kelechi Iheanacho (Bursaspor FC, Turkey); Moses Simon (Paris FC, France); Akor Adams (Venezia FC, Italy); Peter Edokpolor (SL Benfica, Portugal); Abubakar Umar (FC Famalicao, Portugal); Abdullahi Umar (Hradec Kralove, Czechia)