THE Super Eagles of Nigeria will face Russia in a friendly match on June 6, the Russian Football Union announced in a statement last night.
The fixture is one of three friendlies lined up for Russia’s senior men’s national team, the others being against Zambia and Belarus, the federation added.
“The Russian Football Union has reached agreements with the football federations of Zambia, Nigeria and Belarus to hold friendly matches in the coming FIFA windows,” the body stated.
“In March, Valery Karpin’s team will play against Zambia. The game will be held in Moscow, the exact time and place of the meeting will be announced later.
“On June 6, the Russian national team will play a home match against Nigeria, and on June 10, they will play away against the national team of Belarus. The venues and start times of the matches will be announced later.”
This will be the first-ever meeting between the senior national teams of Nigeria and Russia, although there have been several clashes at age-grade levels.
Nigeria’s Flying Eagles met the then Soviet Union, which Russia was a part of, at the 1983 FIFA U-20 World Cup in Mexico and two years later in the same competition in Russia.
The most memorable encounter between the two countries was at the FIFA U-20 World Cup in Saudi Arabia in 1989 when Nigeria came from 4-0 down to draw the quarter-final 4-4 in regulation time and extra-time.
The Flying Eagles went on to win the match on penalties and it was dubbed the ‘Damman Miracle’ back home due to the epic comeback.
Russia have been banned from competitive matches since the country invaded neighbouring Ukraine in February 2022 but have played several friendlies.
The Nigeria Football Federation is yet to confirm the friendly with Russia.
