Thursday, April 17, 2025
Soccernet.ng
  • Home
  • AFCON 2025
  • Leagues
    • EPL
    • NPFL
    • La Liga
    • Seria A
    • Ligue 1
  • Live Scores
  • Soccernet TV
  • Lifestyle
No Result
View All Result
Soccernet.ng
  • Home
  • AFCON 2025
  • Leagues
    • EPL
    • NPFL
    • La Liga
    • Seria A
    • Ligue 1
  • Live Scores
  • Soccernet TV
  • Lifestyle
No Result
View All Result
Soccernet.ng
No Result
View All Result

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

by Lolade Adewuyi
April 17, 2025
in Lolade Adewuyi's Nuggets, News, NewsNow, Nigeria, This Week, Top
0
Are the Super Eagles being pulled into a needless Russian entanglement?

Russia vs Nigeria [Edited by Azzuu]

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.

Daniil Fomin 74 and Artyom Dzyuba 22 of Russia
Daniil Fomin 74 and Artyom Dzyuba 22 of the Russian national football team seen during a friendly match between the national teams of Russia and Grenada [Photo credit/IMAGO]
The Russian invasion of Ukraine has led to inflation in global food prices as it has 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 Alexander Pushkin Library in Sochi was one of my favourite places during my studies in Russia. I realised that Russia’s most famous writer had a Cameroonian grandfather. His classic Eugene Onegin is required reading in Russia. #TBT pic.twitter.com/V8OTWaFCiH

— Lolade Adewuyi (@Jololade) May 14, 2020

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?

Teboho Mokoena of South Africa and Ademola Lookman of Super Eagles
Teboho Mokoena of South Africa and Ademola Lookman of Super Eagles during the 2026 FIFA World Cup [Photo credit/Imago}
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?

Tags: FIFANigeriaRussiaSuper Eagles
Lolade Adewuyi

Lolade Adewuyi

Lolade Adewuyi is a writer and journalist who has covered four FIFA World Cups, a Confederations Cup and two AFCONS. He is the Managing Editor of Soccernet Media Limited. Email: lolade at soccernet.com.ng

RelatedPosts

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

Super Eagles transfer: Premier League club eye Frank Onyeka as Augsburg chapter closes – report

2 hours ago
Are the Super Eagles being pulled into a needless Russian entanglement?
EPL

Besiktas move on from Onuachu, open talks with Manchester United-linked striker

3 hours ago
Are the Super Eagles being pulled into a needless Russian entanglement?
Bundesliga

Super Eagles forward not giving up on Bundesliga chances with Bayer 04 Leverkusen

5 hours ago
Are the Super Eagles being pulled into a needless Russian entanglement?
Europa League

Rangers boss Barry Ferguson shares Leon Balogun fitness update ahead of Athletic Bilbao clash

8 hours ago

See other News

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Latest

U-20 AFCON 2025: Zubairu names Hoffenheim, Lillestrom prodigies in Flying Eagles’ 24-man squad

Valverde warns Athletic Bilbao of Cyriel Dessers threat ahead of Europa League clash against Rangers

Super Eagles transfer: Premier League club eye Frank Onyeka as Augsburg chapter closes – report

Besiktas move on from Onuachu, open talks with Manchester United-linked striker

Nigerian forward admits he’s open to Plymouth switch if Championship status secured

Soccernet.ng

Copyright © 2024 Soccernet Media Limited.

Navigate Site

  • Contact Us
  • About Us
  • Journalist Charter
  • Advertise
  • Terms of Use

Follow Us

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • AFCON 2025
  • Leagues
    • EPL
    • NPFL
    • La Liga
    • Seria A
    • Ligue 1
  • Live Scores
  • Soccernet TV
  • Lifestyle

Copyright © 2024 Soccernet Media Limited.