Russia National team Head Coach, Valery Karpin, has described Nigeria’s Super Eagles as a superior footballing side following a pulsating 1-1 draw at the Luzhniki Stadium on Friday night — a result that brought Russia’s eight-match winning streak to an end.
Speaking after the match, Karpin commended the physical prowess and technical quality of Nigeria and fellow African powerhouse Cameroon, placing both far ahead of teams like Zambia and Kenya in terms of performance and pedigree.
“They [African teams] are all very athletic, powerful, strong teams, Cameroon and Nigeria are significantly higher in level than Zambia and Kenya. Even the FIFA rating confirms this. They cannot be compared. Nigeria and Cameroon are more interesting.” Karpin said.
The historic fixture was the first senior international meeting between Russia and Nigeria and drew a record crowd in Moscow.
READ MORE: Eric Chelle reflects on Super Eagles draw with Russia
Despite Russia’s early dominance in recent months including a 5-0 thumping of Zambia in March ,Nigeria proved a sterner test.
Russia men’s National football team. Photo Credit: Getty Images
Reflecting on the game, Karpin noted: “They didn’t create threats for us, but we created moments. Melehin’s – after a free kick, Barinov’s – after coming out of defence. The goal we conceded can hardly be called created by Nigeria there wasn’t even any pressing there.”
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Karpin added that, aside from a brief lapse during a throw-in, his side handled the match well.
“Absolutely everything: from the pressing to I can’t remember a single moment, except for the mistake during the throw-in. Do you remember? Maybe I just forgot.”
Russia’s run had included victories over African opposition and a hard-fought draw with Kenya, but Nigeria’s performance underlined the growing stature of the Super Eagles on the international stage.
