A late Akor Adams strike saw the Super Eagles complete a dramatic comeback to force Russia to a 3-3 draw in Tuesday’s international friendly at the Nizhny Novgorod Stadium, completesport.com reports.
Also on target for the Super Eagles were Kelechi Iheanacho, who was making a return and Benfica 19-year-old debutant Peter Edokpolor.
It is now back-to-back draws for the Super Eagles against Russia, after their first encounter, also a friendly, ended 1-1 in 2025.
The draw halted Russia’s run of four straight wins, scoring 14 goals without conceding.
Super Eagles head coach Éric Chelle named a largely experimental starting lineup which only had Iheanacho and Moses Simon as the only experienced players.
Other players in the starting eleven were debutants Samuel James (in goal), Chibuzor Nwoko, Wilfred Igor, Aderemi Adeoye, Isaac James, Stephen Michael, the returning Benjamin Frederick, Emmanuel Fernandez, and Abdullahi Bewene
Despite being on the back foot for most parts of the first half, it was the Super Eagles who took a shock lead on 10 minutes through Iheanacho, who received a pass from Bewene before hitting a low left foot strike into the net.
Russia went close to drawing level on 14 minutes after a poor back pass by left-back James, but the goal-bound effort from the Russian player came off his own teammate.
In the 25th minute Russia went close again after a dangerous cross was floated into the Super Eagles box but Fernandez made a timely block.
But Russia’s persistent attack eventually paid off on 30 minutes thanks to Lechi Sadulaev, who slotted past James, after Fernandez was dispossessed of the ball close to the Super Eagles box.
Also Read: Iheanacho Opens Up On Super Eagles Return, Reason For Bursaspor Move
Two minutes later Russia almost went in front but James made a good save to stop a header.
Matvey Kislyak then made it 2-1 in the second minute of first half added time as he slotted in a low cross from the left wing.
Before the start of the second half Chelle made two changes, with Adams and another debutant Abdullahi Umar coming on for Iheanacho and Michael.
The change did not yield much as Russia went 3-1 up as Aleksey Miranchuk’s low strike inside the box slipped underneath James after the home team had neatly carved the Super Eagles defence open with good interchange of passes.
It was Russia from then on as they kept the Super Eagles pinned back in their own half but could not extend their lead.
With 20 minutes left Chelle introduced Edokpolor and Abubakar for Simon and Adeoye and the change paid off as the former reduced the deficit with a brilliant individual goal.
After receiving the ball on the left wing, Edokpolor beat his marker then fired a shot which took a deflection before ending in the back of the net.
The goal spurred the Super Eagles on and they were close to drawing level on 91 minutes, through Abubakar who dribbled past his marker inside the box but saw his shot saved by keeper.
But in the 94th minute the Super Eagles made it 3-3 thanks to Adams who slotted home Abubakar’s beautiful laid pass inside the box.
Russia almost grabbed a late winner but a header off a cross went just over the bar.
By James Agberebi
3 Comments
Fredricks, Bewene, Umar, Iheanacho and three other unknown players that I don’t have name to jersey numbers were great. Chelle is hot and cold but will be commended when we have to. He must be bold on his choice and never allow non sporting reason to influence his future call ups and match day squad. Goodluck to him as he recovers from the Guinea slip.
Let me drop my dumb jingoist viewpoint.
To start with, big kudos to Russia for providing such a wonderful atmosphere. It was as if we were at the world cup, hehehe. And the pitch was good too, unlike some pipo that will take you to a horrible pitch, win you 3 nil and think they are good.
Good, good game. Me I dey like to see hunger, desire, ginger. And we saw it today in abundance. Men enter field play ball like say this is a once in a lifetime opportunity.
Some boys have played themselves into the senior team.
See the Iheanacho that we said was back in form, and some pipo insulted us. Una don see am now. This is a player who is never shy to shoot at goal, and as they say, if you don’t shoot, you don’t score! If he can only keep fit, he remains relevant in the SE, as long as our misfiring strikers continue to misfire.
Akor did what we expect from him, based on his Afcon performance. We expect nothing less.
Bewene is a guy we already know. The boy is a baller. In my extreme jingoist opinion, this is our number one right back.
Adeoye! Hmmm, no need for cho cho cho. Midfielder wey dey cover space. I expect to see him in our subsequent senior squad.
James at left back was on duty today.The message we sent him, he went and carried it out. Good one.
Frederick, another man we already know. If not for injury, him and Bassey are our starting center backs in a back four. Showed a good understanding with Fernandez his center back partner.
Edokpolor – the young man came in and played with the courage of youth. I need to see him again, but his performance today suggests we’ve got ourselves another good winger.
Decent debut from the Fulham lad Nwoko. Lively, buzzing around the pitch.
James the goalie, he did well, in spite of the 3 goals conceded.
Not a bad all round performance from all the players.
Now, the call for certain players to retire will start getting louder. We can see that we have better, younger options. If this team had played against GB, if they like, they can take us to a potato field, we would have still gotten a result.
If GB is better than us, then congrats to them. But if we lost because we failed to field a capable team when we have the players available, then that failure is on us! We must henceforth select strictly, strictly, STRICTLY, on merit! Not names, not past reputation, not where you play or which club you play for, but current form only. Desire and hunger is what we need.
Is Nigeria the weapon fashioned against Russia in football? Before this game, they scored 14 goals, and conceded none, winning all games. Today, they jam Nigeria, and once again hand don touch them. They probably fear us a little bit now, hehehehe!
I have to add that I love the way Fernandez distributes the ball from the back.
Pin point, accurate, long range passes.