Nigeria’s first friendly opponent in May confirmed

Nigeria's Super Eagles suffered a setback against Zimbabwe in their 2026 World Cup bid.

Nigeria’s first friendly opponent in May confirmed

Ayoola Kelechi 12:59 - 29.03.2025

The Super Eagles will be involved in a series of friendlies to prepare for their remaining World Cup qualifiers

The Super Eagles are set to make history with a landmark friendly match against Russia on May 31 in Moscow according to Nigerian journalist Oluwashina Okeleji.

This will be the first-ever full international meeting between the two nations, and it comes as part of Nigeria’s broader preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.

A Historic and Controversial Clash in Moscow

After dropping further points in their World Cup qualifying campaign against Zimbabwe, the Super Eagles will be eager to get their rhythm back under new coach Eric Chelle.

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This will mark the first official encounter between the two national teams at the senior level, making it a historic occasion.

However, given the geopolitical tensions surrounding Russia’s status in global football, the decision to play in Moscow is expected to spark debate and scrutiny.

https://twitter.com/oluwashina/status/1905941251259580925

The last time the Super Eagles played in Russia, they stunned Argentina 4-2 in a thrilling friendly back in 2017. Fans will hope for a similar performance, especially as Nigeria continues to build momentum ahead of the World Cup qualifiers.

Super Eagles set for intense friendly schedule

Beyond the clash with Russia, the National Sports Commission (NSC) has confirmed that Nigeria will play three additional friendly matches in June 2025.

Super Eagles to get friendly games in June under Eric Chelle.

This extended schedule is part of a strategic plan to refine the squad and prepare for the remaining World Cup qualifiers.

NSC Chairman Shehu Dikko emphasized that the technical crew will use these games to “reset, mold, and perfect” the team, ensuring they are in peak condition when the qualifiers resume in September 2025.

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Despite setbacks, Dikko remains confident that winning the next four games could be enough to secure qualification.

With the Super Eagles staying locked in on their World Cup dream, these friendlies will be a crucial stepping stone toward securing a spot at the 2026 tournament.

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