Super Eagles Face Busy September-October Schedule With Russia Friendly

Posted : 09 September 2026

The Super Eagles of Nigeria face a demanding international schedule as they prepare to combine 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifying engagements with a high-profile friendly against Russia in October.

Nigeria will take on Russia at the 44,000-capacity Nizhny Novgorod Stadium on Tuesday, Oct. 6, in a fixture confirmed by the Super Eagles’ FIFA Match Agent, Jairo Pachon of Eurodatasports.

The encounter will come exactly one week after Nigeria’s second 2027 AFCON qualifying fixture against Guinea-Bissau’s Wild Dogs in Bissau on Sept. 29.

Four days earlier, the Super Eagles will begin their AFCON qualification campaign against Madagascar at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo.

The three-match sequence will provide Nigeria with a mixture of competitive and friendly opposition as the team looks to build momentum ahead of subsequent international assignments.

The Russia fixture will also renew a relatively recent rivalry between both countries, following their 1-1 draw at the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow on June 6, 2025.

Russia took the lead in that encounter through an own goal by Nigeria defender Semi Ajayi, before Tolu Arokodare restored parity for the Super Eagles in the second half.

Nigeria, currently ranked 26th in the world, will face a Russian side occupying 35th position in the FIFA rankings.

The Nizhny Novgorod Stadium, which hosted matches during the 2018 FIFA World Cup, will stage the fixture for only the second time involving Russia.

Russia previously played at the venue in June 2019, defeating Cyprus 1-0 in a 2020 UEFA European Championship qualifying match.

The Super Eagles have also recently tested themselves against European opposition, drawing 2-2 with Poland in Warsaw and losing narrowly 2-1 to Portugal in Meira.

Although Nigeria failed to qualify for the FIFA World Cup finals hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico, the Super Eagles retained the Afro-Caribbean Unity Cup Football Tournament in London.

The October meeting with Russia is therefore expected to offer another opportunity for Nigeria to assess the squad against a European opponent while continuing preparations for major international competitions.

With three significant fixtures scheduled within a short period, Nigeria will be looking to use the September and October programme to strengthen the squad, maintain competitive momentum and build confidence ahead of future international assignments.

Super Eagles Face Busy September-October Schedule With Russia Friendly

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