Nigeria line up friendly against Russia in October

Three-time Africa Cup of Nations champions Nigeria will face Russia in an international friendly in October as part of their preparations for the upcoming 2027 AFCON qualifying campaign.

The fixture will provide head coach Eric Chelle with another opportunity to assess his squad and fine-tune his tactical approach ahead of Nigeria’s qualification campaign.

The Super Eagles are preparing for a busy period, with the team aiming to make a strong start in their quest to secure a place at the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations.

Nigeria and Russia are no strangers to each other, having recently met in an international friendly in Moscow in June 2025.

That encounter ended in a 1-1 draw, with both sides sharing the spoils after an entertaining contest.

The upcoming meeting will therefore give Nigeria another chance to test themselves against the European side while continuing preparations for the competitive fixtures that await them.

Chelle’s men will officially begin their 2027 AFCON qualifying campaign on Friday, September 25, when they welcome Madagascar’s Barea in their opening Group D fixture.

The Super Eagles will then travel for their second qualifying assignment on Tuesday, September 29, when they take on Guinea-Bissau.

With two important qualifying matches coming within a short period, the October friendly against Russia is expected to help the technical team evaluate players, strengthen squad cohesion and address areas that may require improvement.

The three-time African champions will be hoping to return to the continental showpiece after missing out on the 2026 World Cup, making their AFCON qualification campaign particularly important.

Nigeria will also be looking to build on its rich history in the competition. The Super Eagles have won the Africa Cup of Nations three times, with their most recent triumph coming in 2013.

The meeting with Russia could provide Chelle with valuable information as he continues to shape a squad capable of challenging for continental honours.

With the likes of experienced internationals and emerging talents competing for places, the friendly is also expected to create opportunities for players seeking to establish themselves in the national team.

The Super Eagles will now turn their attention to their opening AFCON qualifiers against Madagascar and Guinea-Bissau before facing Russia in October as part of their continued preparations.