The Super Eagles will try to put their disappointing start to the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign behind them when they take on Russia in an international friendly at the Nizhny Novgorod Stadium on Tuesday. Kick off is 5pm Nigerian time, which is 7pm in Russia.

Nigeria arrive in Russia nursing the wounds of a three goals to nil defeat to Guinea Bissau in Bissau, which came four days after a two goals to one win over Madagascar in Uyo.

Head coach, Eric Chelle has admitted that his side were poor in that game, telling reporters at his pre match press conference, “We played badly last time.” He has put the loss down to a lack of intensity and described the friendly as a chance to correct that, while also using it to look at younger options ahead of the resumption of the qualifiers in November.

Chelle has had to work around a thin squad. Captain Wilfred Ndidi and defender Victory Akpe withdrew through injury and have been replaced by Stade de Reims midfielder John Otomewo and Tromsø defender, Vince Osuji, who are both in line to make their senior international debuts. Raphael Onyedika and Bright Osayi Samuel are also unavailable, while Slavia Prague forward Suleiman Mubarak could not travel because his residence permit was not secured.

Moses Simon is expected to lead a reshaped team and has said the Super Eagles did not travel to Russia to lose.

There is some good news for the coach, with Kelechi Iheanacho back in camp after more than a year away. The striker earned his recall with 11 goals for Bursaspor in Turkey this season.

The hosts will not make it easy. Russia, coached by Valery Karpin, come into the game unbeaten in four matches, having scored 14 goals without conceding in wins over Iran, Namibia, Burkina Faso and Trinidad and Tobago. Chelle expects them to press aggressively whenever they lose the ball. Nigeria are ranked 26th in the world, nine places above Russia in 35th, according to the current FIFA rankings.

The two countries have met only once before at senior level, a one all draw in Moscow in June 2025, in which Tolu Arokodare cancelled out an own goal by Semi Ajayi.