In a historic international friendly held on Friday, June 6, 2025, Nigeria’s Super Eagles secured a 1-1 draw against Russia at the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow. This match marked the first-ever senior-level meeting between the two nations.
Russia opened the scoring in the 27th minute when defender Semi Ajayi diverted Viktor Melyokhin’s cross into his own net, sending the ball past goalkeeper Maduka Okoye. Despite the setback, Nigeria remained patient and composed, controlling possession and probing the Russian defence for weaknesses.
READ ALSO: Arokodare Hails Coach Eric Chelle: “He Inspires Confidence in Players”
Several established Super Eagles regulars—including Victor Osimhen, Wilfred Ndidi, Ademola Lookman, Samuel Chukwueze, Ola Aina and Calvin Bassey—were absent from the squad, giving fringe players a chance to stake their claim.
In their place, the midfield pairing of Raphael Onyedika and Frank Onyeka, along with Fisayo Dele-Bashiru, kept Nigeria competitive in the centre of the park. Defenders William Troost-Ekong, Bruno Onyemaechi, and Semi Ajayi worked to hold a tight back line against Russian pressure.
In the 71st minute, substitute Tolu Arokodare seized his opportunity to make an impact. As Russian keeper Matvei Safonov underhit a back pass, Arokodare showed quick thinking—chasing down the loose ball and slotting it into the far corner for his first international goal. This leveller prevented Russia from extending their momentum, earning Nigeria a deserved draw.
Russia had come into this match riding an eight-game winning streak under coach Valery Karpin in non-FIFA-sanctioned friendlies after FIFA’s 2022 ban on their national teams had been relaxed only for youth sides. Nevertheless, this result stopped their latest run and demonstrated Nigeria’s resilience despite fielding an under-strength side.
For Nigeria, the draw extends head coach Eric Chelle’s unbeaten start to five games—three wins and two draws. Chelle expressed satisfaction with his team’s composure and tactical discipline, noting that the match provided valuable experience ahead of two crucial 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying games against Rwanda and South
Africa in three months’ time.
Neither team could find a winner after Arokodare’s leveller, despite late pressure from both sides. Russia’s Matvei Safonov made several key saves, while Maduka Okoye denied multiple efforts from Maksim Glushenkov and Aleksandr Mostovoi. On the Nigerian end, Arokodare’s movement and Boniface’s aerial presence caused problems for the hosts, even if their final delivery was wayward at times.
With this result, Nigeria ends their brief European tour unbeaten and shifts focus to the competitive fixtures ahead, confident that squad depth and tactical flexibility will serve them well in the coming months.
