Are the Super Eagles being pulled into a needless Russian entanglement?

This week, the Russian Football Union announced friendly matches with Nigeria, Zambia, and Belarus, slated for mid-year on dates yet to be decided.

The Russians have been banned from international football since the invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. However, this week’s call between US leader Donald Trump and Russian leader Vladimir Putin seems to have energised the Russians, who are hopeful of an impending return to international acceptance.

But is it too early to accept a friendly match with Russia at a time of continued global upheaval? The NFF has yet to announce the friendly match on its website or through a press release.

The Russian invasion of Ukraine has led to inflation in global food prices as it destabilised the export market for agricultural items from its neighbour.

Should sport be a tool for punishing Russia? FIFA and UEFA moved to remove Russia from international football as a way of forcing the country to reckon with its decision to cause war on the doorsteps of Europe. Critics say FIFA and UEFA have been indecisive when it comes to Israel and the war on Gaza.

Memories of Russia’s World Cup

Sports have become a tool used by hardline governments to burnish their image. President Putin put up an amazing World Cup showpiece seven years ago in Russia.

I witnessed it, taking in games in Moscow, Kaliningrad, Saint Petersburg, Volgograd and Sochi, the city by the Black Sea where I had spent one year studying for a master’s degree.

The Russian people showed a warm welcome to visitors while the full invasion of Ukraine was being perfected by its leaders. The world completely forgot about the annexation of Crimea as we feasted on the World Cup games, culminating in a beautiful final where France defeated Croatia in Moscow.

But sport cannot hide the hands of dictators. Mr Putin eventually attacked Ukraine after the COVID-19 pandemic and sent the global economy into a spiral that we are yet to recover from.

Should the Eagles be used as pawns?

Russia wants to return to the global football stage, and the Super Eagles and the Chipolopolo of Zambia are two of the teams they want to use for this.

What is the implication of this? Could the Eagles become a pariah team if they engage Russia in Moscow? Would they be used as pawns in the international game that Russia is playing in Africa?

One wonders why Russia has chosen Nigeria and Zambia but not Burkina Faso, Mali or the Central African Republic, countries in which the Russian Wagner Forces have been successfully embedded.

Let’s not forget Russia’s role in the recent exit of Burkina, Mali, and Niger from ECOWAS, the regional grouping that Nigeria’s President Bola Tinubu currently chairs.

Russia is looking for new allies. What is it promising the NFF for a Super Eagles game in Moscow?

Do we need a Super Eagles entanglement with Russia at this time?

Is it worth it?