The NFF has confirmed a Super Eagles friendly against Russia on 6 October, sandwiched between Nigeria’s opening two AFCON 2027 qualifiers.
Latest: Ndidi has withdrawn and Chelle has named a new-look squad. Read our full Nigeria vs Russia prediction and preview for the kick-off time (5pm WAT), the squad and team news.
The Super Eagles have a busy October ahead. The Nigeria Football Federation has confirmed a friendly against Russia at Nizhny Novgorod Stadium on Tuesday, 6 October 2026 — coming just a week after Eric Chelle’s side wraps up their opening AFCON 2027 qualifying double-header.
The fixture lands at an awkward point in the calendar. Nigeria host Madagascar at home on 25 September, then travel to Guinea-Bissau four days later for their second Group C qualifier. Barely a week after that, Chelle’s squad will be back on a plane to Nizhny Novgorod for the Russia clash. It’s a demanding stretch for a squad already carrying fitness doubts over Victor Osimhen and Paul Onuachu.
The NFF announced the friendly through its official X account, describing it as the “second meeting between both nations in 16 months.” According to the federation, the fixture was confirmed by Nigeria’s FIFA match agent, Jairo Pachon of Eurodatasports.
Nigeria and Russia last played on 6 June 2025 at Moscow’s Luzhniki Stadium, sharing a 1-1 draw. Russia took the lead through a Semi Ajayi own goal before Tolu Arokodare levelled in the 71st minute. Russia dominated that game statistically, with 58% possession and 10 shots to Nigeria’s six — a reminder that friendlies against Russia aren’t the routine outings some fans might expect.
As a result of their suspension from official FIFA and UEFA competitions since 2022, Russia have leaned heavily on friendlies to stay match-sharp, which means Nigeria can expect a side that’s used to these fixtures and motivated to make the most of them.
Nigeria currently sit 26th in the FIFA world rankings, with Russia just behind at 35th. On paper, that gap favours the Super Eagles, but rankings rarely tell the full story in one-off friendlies played thousands of miles from home.
For Chelle, the timing is actually useful. Coming so soon after two competitive AFCON qualifiers, the Russia friendly gives him a low-stakes opportunity to rotate his squad, test fringe players, and assess fitness levels before Nigeria’s qualifying campaign resumes. Naija News reports the federation is treating it as exactly that — another data point for the coaching staff rather than a marquee occasion.
October’s friendly caps off a month that starts with genuine qualifying pressure. Nigeria’s 2027 AFCON campaign gets underway at home against Madagascar on 25 September, before the squad heads to Bissau to face Guinea-Bissau on 29 September. Both matches sit in Group C alongside Tanzania, and dropped points early would put extra weight on the Russia trip as a chance to reset before the next qualifying window.
Our NPFL Matchday 3 preview has more on how the domestic season is shaping up while several Super Eagles regulars remain on international duty.
We’ll have team news and match previews as the fixture approaches — check back on Nigerian Matchday for updates on the Super Eagles’ AFCON qualifying campaign and everything else around the national team.
More on NigerianMatchday: Super Eagles fixtures · Super Eagles squad guide
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