Super Eagles know next European foes as Nigeria face former World Cup hosts

The Super Eagles will face Russia in an international friendly on Tuesday, October 6, giving Nigeria another chance to test itself against a European opponent, Soccernet.ng reports.

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) confirmed the fixture through its official social media platforms. The game will be played at the Nizhny Novgorod Stadium, a 44,000-seat venue that hosted matches during the 2018 FIFA World Cup.

The meeting comes just one week after Nigeria's second 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying match against Guinea-Bissau. The timing means the Russia game could give coach Eric Chelle an important opportunity to assess his squad after the pressure of AFCON qualifying.

The Super Eagles will also have a recent meeting with Russia to draw on. The two teams played for the first time at senior international level on June 6, 2025, at Moscow's Luzhniki Stadium.

That match ended 1-1. Russia took the lead through a Semi Ajayi own goal before Tolu Arokodare scored in the second half to earn Nigeria a draw.

A familiar European test for the Super Eagles

Nigeria have a long history of facing Europe's top football nations, particularly at the World Cup.

The Super Eagles produced one of their most famous victories against Spain at the 1998 World Cup, winning 3-2 in Nantes after Sunday Oliseh scored a late winner. Four years earlier, Nigeria made a stunning World Cup debut by beating Bulgaria 3-0, with goals from Rashidi Yekini, Daniel Amokachi and Emmanuel Amuneke.

Nigeria also beat Greece 2-0 at the 1994 World Cup and defeated Bosnia and Herzegovina 1-0 at the 2014 tournament.

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Recent friendlies against European opposition have been less predictable. Portugal beat Nigeria 2-1 this June after Akor Adams had equalised in the first half, while Poland drew 2-2 with the Super Eagles in Warsaw after Paul Onuachu's penalty had put Nigeria ahead.

There have also been difficult nights. The Netherlands beat Nigeria 5-1 in a 1998 friendly, while Portugal won 4-0 in Lisbon in 2022.

The October meeting with Russia therefore gives the Super Eagles a chance to measure their progress against a European side before the next stage of their international programme.