Reviewed by Rahmon OluwoNigeria sports betting writer
Published 8 October 2026
Nigeria came from 3-1 down to draw 3-3 with Russia in an international friendly at Nizhny Novgorod on Tuesday 6 October, with Akor Adams levelling in the 4th minute of added time.
Kelechi Iheanacho put Nigeria ahead and it was his 15th goal for the Super Eagles. Russia then scored three times to lead 3-1, levelling in the 30th minute, going ahead through Matvey Kislyak on the stroke of half time and scoring again in the 54th.
How Nigeria got back
Peter Edokpolor, who is 19 and came on as a substitute, pulled a goal back in the 78th minute. Umar Abdullahi had gone close in the 73rd, and Vince Osuji replaced Chibuzo Nwoko in the 83rd.
Adams finished a counter attack that began with Emmanuel Fernandez in the 4th minute of added time.
Nine debuts in one night
Nine players made their Super Eagles debuts in the match, among them the goalkeeper Samuel James.
Several players withdrew with injuries and club restrictions, and Nigeria fielded a depleted side with a heavily changed lineup.
What it settles
The match was a friendly, outside the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying competition. It followed the 3-0 defeat by Guinea-Bissau, which was a qualifier and did count.
CAF drew 48 teams, including the three host nations, into twelve groups of four for 2027 qualifying, under a format in which the top two teams in each group qualify for the final tournament. Group L is not a straightforward two from four, because Tanzania are in it and are already qualified as a host. CAF’s own wording is that this leaves Guinea-Bissau, Nigeria and Madagascar competing to become the highest ranked non host side.
That is the race Chelle’s side returns to in November, and there is more from the Nigerian game on our Nigeria sports news page.
