Russian defender Arsen Adamov has admitted that Nigeria’s Super Eagles will provide a difficult test when both countries renew their international rivalry in October.
Nigeria are scheduled to face Russia in an international friendly at the Nizhny Novgorod Stadium on October 6, with the Russian national team preparing for a demanding run of fixtures during the international break.
Adamov, who plays as a right-back for Akhmat Grozny, is already familiar with Nigeria after featuring in Russia’s previous meeting with the Super Eagles in June 2025.
The 26-year-old was part of the Russian side that played out a 1-1 draw against Nigeria at Moscow’s Luzhniki Stadium, and he expects another competitive encounter when the teams meet again.
Speaking ahead of Russia’s upcoming fixtures, Adamov described both Nigeria and Iran as strong opponents, stressing that the matches should provide entertaining contests for supporters.
“This is not the first time we have played Iran and Nigeria, and these are very strong teams,” Adamov said, according to comments relayed by Russian outlet Sports.ru. “There will be interesting matches for us and for the fans. Iran and Nigeria are very strong opponents.”
Adamov’s assessment comes as Russia prepare for three international fixtures during the break. The Russians are scheduled to face Iran in Kazan on September 29, Namibia on October 3 and Nigeria three days later in Nizhny Novgorod.
While the Russian defender admitted he does not know much about Namibia, he was equally cautious about facing an African opponent.
“The only thing is, I do not know anything about Namibia. African teams are strong. I think it will not be easy against them either,” he added.
The October meeting with Nigeria will be only the second encounter between the two countries. Their first meeting ended in a 1-1 draw in Moscow last year.
Russia took the lead in that game after Nigeria defender Semi Ajayi inadvertently turned the ball into his own net. The Super Eagles, however, recovered after the interval, with striker Tolu Arokodare scoring the equaliser to secure a draw for Nigeria.
The rematch therefore gives both nations another opportunity to test themselves against familiar opposition, although the circumstances surrounding the two fixtures are different.
Nigeria will arrive in Russia after playing two important 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying matches against Madagascar and Guinea-Bissau.
Eric Chelle’s side are scheduled to host Madagascar at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo on September 25 before travelling to Bissau to face Guinea-Bissau on September 29. The Russia friendly will then take place exactly one week after Nigeria’s second qualifier.
Chelle has named separate squads for the AFCON qualifiers and the Russia friendly, giving him the opportunity to assess a wider group of players.
The Russia squad includes experienced names such as Wilfred Ndidi, Raphael Onyedika and Moses Simon, while Kelechi Iheanacho and several other players have also been selected for the October fixture.
Adamov enters the international break with useful club form behind him. The defender has made nine Russian Premier League appearances for Akhmat Grozny this season and has already registered an assist, setting up a goal during his side’s 4-1 victory over Rostov on August 22.
His experience against Nigeria could also prove valuable for Russia as the hosts prepare for a Super Eagles side that possesses considerable attacking quality.
The Nigerians have several established international players who can create problems in the final third, while the October fixture is expected to provide Chelle with another opportunity to examine his squad against European opposition.
The match will also take place at the 44,000-capacity Nizhny Novgorod Stadium, one of the venues constructed for the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia.
For Nigeria, the encounter will come at the end of a busy international period that begins with the AFCON qualifiers. The Super Eagles will have to manage the physical demands of two competitive matches before making the trip to Russia.
For Russia, meanwhile, the Nigeria fixture will be the final game in a three-match sequence involving Iran, Namibia and the Super Eagles.
The comments from Adamov underline the level of respect Nigeria have earned ahead of the encounter. Rather than viewing the match as a routine friendly, the Russian defender expects the Super Eagles to provide a serious challenge.
With the two nations having already produced a closely contested 1-1 draw in their first meeting, the return fixture promises another interesting chapter in their developing international rivalry.
Nigeria will first turn their attention to the AFCON qualifiers against Madagascar and Guinea-Bissau before thoughts shift towards Russia. For Chelle, the October 6 friendly could then provide another chance to test his players, experiment with combinations and measure the squad against a European opponent.
For Adamov and Russia, however, the objective will be to ensure that the Super Eagles do not repeat their comeback from last year.
The stage is therefore set for another intriguing meeting between Nigeria and Russia, with Adamov already making it clear that the hosts are expecting a tough battle in Nizhny Novgorod.
