The Nigeria Football Federation’s Acting General Secretary, Dr Emmanuel Ikpeme, has praised the Super Eagles’ resilience after they fought back from two goals down to draw 3-3 with Russia in an international friendly in Nizhny Novgorod on Tuesday.
Nigeria had trailed 3-1 early in the second half but responded through debutant Peter Edokpolor and Akor Adams to secure an encouraging result, particularly with several young players making their international debuts.
“This is the Super Eagles we want to see turn up each and every time. The NFF and the Nigeria football family, and I believe all Nigerians at home and in the diaspora, are happy with this result. More than the result, the character displayed by the team was remarkable and made us proud.
“Given that we had so many young players with many of them winning their first caps, the result is heartwarming.”
Ikpeme was with the three-time African champions in Nizhny Novgorod and said the determination shown against Russia must be carried into Nigeria’s next fixtures.
The Super Eagles will face Tanzania twice in November in the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers. Nigeria will host the Taifa Stars at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo on Friday, 13th November, before travelling to Dar es Salaam for the return match at the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium on Tuesday, 17th November.
Nigeria took the lead against Russia after 10 minutes when Kelechi Iheanacho, returning to the squad after an absence, caught the hosts’ goalkeeper with a well-placed low shot.
Russia equalised through Lechi Sadulaev on the half-hour mark, then moved in front when Matvey Kislyak scored two minutes into first-half stoppage time.
Aleksey Miranchuk extended the hosts’ advantage nine minutes into the second half, leaving Russia in a strong position to claim victory in front of their home supporters.
Nigeria refused to concede, however. Edokpolor, making his debut, powered through the Russian defence to reduce the deficit in the 78th minute. Adams then completed the comeback by equalising four minutes into second-half stoppage time.
The result continues the teams’ competitive recent meetings. Nigeria and Russia drew 1-1 in another friendly in Moscow 16 months ago.
The performance has also raised hopes that the Super Eagles can complete a double over Tanzania in next month’s 2027 AFCON qualifying matches. At the same time, Nigeria’s U23 team will face the Democratic Republic of Congo in a home-and-away battle for a place at next year’s U23 Africa Cup of Nations.
Those U23 fixtures will take place during the same international window as the senior team’s 2027 AFCON qualifiers.