The Russia vs Nigeria clash turn serious football drama as Super Eagles waka come back from 3-1 down to force Russia into 3-3 draw for their international friendly wey happen for Sovcombank Arena on Tuesday evening.
For Nigeria side, the result give the team small reason to smile after Guinea-Bissau hammer dem 3-0 for their last competitive match, na weytin Hitvibz dey yan be dat.
The Super Eagles enter this friendly with hope say dem fit put the wahala from their 2027 AFCON qualifying campaign behind dem and show better football against Russia.
Russia vs Nigeria Clash: Iheanacho Fire Eagles Enter Front
From the beginning of the match, Eagles defence dey look more organised, before dem shock the home team by scoring the first goal.
Na just about 10 minutes into the game when Kelechi Iheanacho put Nigeria ahead with one fine strike from outside the box.
After Abdullahi Bewene tap the ball give am, Iheanacho no waste the chance as he use him left foot put the ball for net on his return to the Super Eagles.
The 29-year-old Bursaspor striker last play for Nigeria during the 2025 Unity Cup final against Jamaica, where he spend only 45 minutes before Akor Adams enter replace am.
But after taking the lead, the visitors no fit hold their advantage for long.
Just after 30 minutes, Emmanuel Fernandez make mistake for defence and give Russia chance to level the game.
Matvey Kislyak collect the ball before he pass am give Lechi Sadulaev, and the Russian attacker no make mistake as he fire from close range to make am 1-1.
Nigeria then lose concentration at the worst time.
As first half dey almost finish, Kislyak change from person wey dey provide assist to person wey score goal. Cross come from the left side and meet am inside the box.
He no allow the ball touch ground before he hammer am with first-time volley, sending Russia enter halftime with 2-1 lead.
Russia Add Another Goal Before Super Eagles Wake Up
Second half start with Nigeria looking for way to bounce back, but Russia quickly make things harder for the Eagles.
Just nine minutes after the restart, the hosts add another goal after another defensive mistake from Nigeria.
Aleksandr Sobolev set Aleksey Miranchuk up, and Miranchuk remain calm as he finish the chance to make am 3-1.
At that point, e don look like serious mountain for Eagles to climb.
But Nigeria no gree surrender.
With 78 minutes already played, Peter Odokpolor bring one goal back for the Super Eagles after showing serious individual skill.
The 19-year-old first win the ball from Russia before he carry am enter their penalty area with strong solo run.
After he use two stepovers confuse the defender, he release one curling shot. The ball touch another player for deflection before e enter the net.
Odokpolor just enter the match for 70th minute, replacing Aderemi Adeoye, but the young man need only eight minutes to announce himself.
Then the real comeback happen.
Nigeria catch Russia on counter-attack, with Umar Abubakar finding himself inside a dangerous position for the box.
Instead of trying to score by himself, Abubakar decide to play team football. He lay the ball across to Akor Adams, and the striker keep his cool to finish and make the score 3-3.
Russia try hold on after that, but the score no change again as Super Eagles collect one dramatic draw after dem don dey two goals behind.
The Russia vs Nigeria clash give the Super Eagles one much-needed boost, but make nobody deceive us — the defensive problem still dey.
Against Guinea-Bissau, Eagles concede three goals and struggle to control the game. The same issue show again against Russia as Nigeria concede three goals even after taking early lead.
The major difference this time na the spirit wey the players show after Russia go ahead.
Nigeria don now concede seven goals across their last three matches, while scoring only six. That one dey show clearly say the team need to tighten things for the back.
The 3-3 draw no fit wipe away all the recent disappointment, but the way Eagles fight back for second half give the team something positive to carry go forward.
The result also mean Nigeria still never lose to Russia for their two senior international meetings.
The two countries first meet on June 6, 2025, for Moscow’s Luzhniki Stadium, and that match also finish 1-1.
Super Eagles fit don enter trouble against Russia, but dem show say dem still get fight inside them.
From 3-1 down to 3-3, na the kind comeback wey fit give the team small confidence as dem prepare for bigger football battles ahead.
Nigeria still get plenty work to do, especially for defence, but at least this time, the Eagles refuse to fold when the pressure come.
Last Updated on October 6, 2026 8:12 pm by Hitvibz Media
Russia vs Nigeria Clash: Super Eagles No Gree Kpai, Come Back From 3-1 Down for 3-3 Draw
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