THE Super Eagles have been confirmed to face Russian national team in a friendly match on 6th June 2025.
This was confirmed by the Russian Football Union (RFU) on 13 February. The match will take place in Russia. However, the venue and kickoff time haven’t been finalised.
This announcement comes despite Russia’s ongoing ban from international football competitions. FIFA and UEFA suspended all Russian national teams and clubs in 2022 following the country’s invasion of Ukraine.
However, in 2023, FIFA eased restrictions slightly, allowing Russian U-17 teams to compete in international tournaments under neutral conditions — without the national flag, anthem, or official team kit.
Despite the broader ban, the Russian senior men’s team has continued to play non-FIFA-sanctioned friendlies against non-Western countries.
Meanwhile, the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) hasn’t released any official statement regarding the match. If confirmed, this will be the first-ever match between Russia and Nigeria.
In 2022, Russia was kicked out of FIFA for invading Ukraine. However, they seem to be slowly welcomed back. Although they don’t have any match with the western world yet.
As part of the 2025 friendly match Russia has lined up, they would also be facing Zambia in March before playing Belarus on 10 June 2025.
The RFU had reached out to the Nigerian Football Federation to organise the fixtures.
Despite ongoing sanctions, Russia’s senior national team has continued to play friendly matches against non-Western nations.
The NFF has yet to release an official statement confirming its position on the proposed friendly.
Eighteen-Eleven Media