Super Eagles end Russia’s winning streak

In a landmark international friendly on Friday, June 6, 2025, Nigeria’s Super Eagles played to a 1-1 draw with Russia at Moscow’s Luzhniki Stadium.

This historic match was the first-ever senior-level encounter between the two nations, marking a significant milestone in both teams’ international football history.

Russia took the lead in the 27th minute when Nigeria’s Semi Ajayi accidentally scored an own goal.

The defender redirected Viktor Melyokhin’s cross past goalkeeper Maduka Okoye, giving the hosts a 1-0 advantage.

Despite the early setback, the Super Eagles remained composed, maintaining possession and pressing forward in search of an equalizer.

Although several key players, such as Victor Osimhen, Wilfred Ndidi, Ademola Lookman, Samuel Chukwueze, Ola Aina, and Calvin Bassey, were absent from the squad, the team adapted well.

Fringe players stepped up to prove their worth.

The Nigerian midfield, comprising Raphael Onyedika, Frank Onyeka, and Fisayo Dele-Bashiru, worked tirelessly to keep the team competitive.

In defense, William Troost-Ekong, Bruno Onyemaechi, and Ajayi ensured the back line held strong despite Russia’s pressure.

While the Super Eagles were missing some of their usual stars, the fringe players showed resilience, with tactical discipline and teamwork taking center stage.

In the 71st minute, substitute Tolu Arokodare provided the breakthrough Nigeria needed.

When Russian goalkeeper Matvei Safonov misjudged a back pass and underhit it, Arokodare pounced on the loose ball, chasing it down and slotting it into the far corner for his first international goal.

The equalizer helped stifle Russia’s momentum and earned Nigeria a well-deserved draw, maintaining their competitiveness despite being shorthanded.

Russia entered the match with a strong record, having won their last eight games in non-FIFA-sanctioned friendlies under coach Valery Karpin.

This was in the wake of FIFA’s 2022 ban on Russian national teams, which had been partially lifted, allowing youth teams to play international fixtures.

The draw marked the end of Russia’s winning streak, with Nigeria’s performance showing resilience and composure.

For Nigeria, the 1-1 draw extended head coach Eric Chelle’s unbeaten run to five matches, with three wins and two draws.

Chelle expressed his satisfaction with the team’s performance.

He noted the importance of the match as preparation for the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying fixtures against Rwanda and South Africa in three months.

He praised his team’s ability to stay tactically disciplined and manage the game under pressure, especially given the absence of some key players.

Although neither side found a winner after Arokodare’s equalizer, both teams continued to push for a late goal.

Russia’s goalkeeper Safonov made a series of crucial saves to keep his team in the game, denying attempts from Nigeria’s Ola Aina and Khephren Boniface.

On the other side, Okoye was kept busy as well, making several important stops against Maksim Glushenkov and Aleksandr Mostovoi to preserve the draw.

Arokodare’s movement, along with Boniface’s aerial presence, proved troublesome for the Russian defense, but Nigeria’s final delivery lacked precision at times.

Despite these challenges, the Super Eagles showed they could remain competitive and pose a threat even without their top players.

This result capped off a successful European tour for Nigeria, where they remained unbeaten throughout their fixtures.

With the draw against Russia, Nigeria heads into their upcoming World Cup qualifiers with renewed confidence.

The team now knows that their squad depth and tactical adaptability will be key as they aim to secure their spot in the 2026 tournament.

As the Super Eagles look ahead, the experience gained from this international friendly will serve as a valuable learning opportunity.

It has offered insights into their strengths and areas for improvement.

With a solid foundation and a growing sense of belief within the squad, Nigeria is poised to face the challenges of the World Cup qualifiers with optimism.

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