Nigeria marked their first-ever senior international fixture against Russia with a spirited comeback to secure a 1-1 draw in Moscow, despite missing several key players.
Having arrived in high spirits after lifting the Unity Cup in London just a week earlier, the Super Eagles showed resolve and depth by recovering from a first-half own goal, with substitute Tolu Arokodare snatching a deserved equaliser midway through the second half.
Russia, still exiled from competitive international football since their suspension by FIFA and UEFA in 2022, had come into the game on the back of an eight-match unbeaten streak.
That run looked set to continue when a Danil Krugovoy cross, intended for Nikolay Komlichenko, deflected off Semi Ajayi and wrong-footed goalkeeper Maduka Okoye to hand the hosts the lead.
Raphael Onyedika vs Russia. Photo Credit: X
Ajayi, who just last week played a key role in forcing an own goal during Nigeria’s Unity Cup semi-final win over Ghana, was left crestfallen this time around as fortune turned on him.
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Yet Nigeria, without key names such as Victor Osimhen, Alex Iwobi, Ademola Lookman and Ola Aina, grew into the contest.
Their best first-half chance came via Fisayo Dele-Bashiru, who broke clear only to be denied by a sharp save from Paris Saint-Germain’s Matvey Safonov – still riding high after his side’s Champions League final appearance.
Tolu Arokodare scored his first ever goal for the Super Eagles in his 4th Cap as Nigeria drew with Russia. Photo Credit: X
Russia nearly doubled their lead shortly after the break when Nikita Melekhin found space in the box, only to wastefully fire over. That miss proved costly.
Moments later, Arokodare on as a second-half substitute capitalised on a rare lapse from Safonov to draw Nigeria level.
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Nigeria’s Bruno Onyemaechi. Photo Credit: X
The final stages saw Russia push for a winner, but Okoye stood firm, producing two impressive saves one of them a fingertip effort to deny Aleksey Batrakov.
Dmitri Barinov also blazed over in added time, but Nigeria held on for a result that will only strengthen their confidence heading into competitive fixtures
