Nigeria’s Super Eagles fought back from two goals down to secure a dramatic 3-3 draw with Russia in an entertaining international friendly at the Nizhny Novgorod Stadium on Tuesday.
The result offered Eric Chelle’s side a positive way to end a mixed international window following their disappointing 3-0 defeat to Guinea-Bissau in their last 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier. Russia, meanwhile, had entered the encounter on the back of a 6-0 victory over Namibia.
Chelle made several changes to his line-up, using the friendly to assess the depth of his squad and hand opportunities to a number of less experienced players.
Kelechi Iheanacho opened the scoring for Nigeria in the 10th minute, finishing a move created by Abdullahi Bewene to give the Super Eagles an early advantage.
Russia responded through Lechi Sadulaev in the 30th minute before Matvey Kislyak struck in first-half stoppage time to put the hosts 2-1 ahead at the break.
Aleksey Miranchuk extended Russia’s advantage nine minutes into the second half, leaving Nigeria 3-1 down and facing another disappointing result.
The Super Eagles, however, refused to surrender and began to mount pressure on the hosts.
Nigeria pulled one back in the 78th minute through substitute Peter Edokpolor, who drove through the Russian defence before firing into the net to make it 3-2.
With the momentum shifting in Nigeria’s favour, Chelle made further changes as his side pushed for an equaliser.
The pressure finally paid off in the fourth minute of stoppage time when Akor Adams finished off a counter-attack to make it 3-3 and complete Nigeria’s late comeback.
The draw was a welcome response from the Super Eagles after their heavy defeat in Guinea-Bissau and provided Chelle with an opportunity to assess several players ahead of Nigeria’s next competitive fixtures.
The Super Eagles are scheduled to return to 2027 AFCON qualifying action in November when they face Tanzania.
