Former Nigeria international Sani Kaita has expressed concerns about the absence of star striker Victor Osimhen in the upcoming friendly match against Russia. Osimhen is still recovering from an injury and will miss the encounter at the Nizhny Novgorod Stadium on October 6. Kaita emphasized Osimhen's importance to the team but noted that Nigeria has other high-quality players who can fill the gap. The Super Eagles previously met Russia in Moscow in June 2025, ending in a 1-1 draw.
Several established Nigeria internationals, including Ademola Lookman, Alex Iwobi, Calvin Bassey, Bruno Onyemaechi, Samuel Chukwueze, and Ola Aina, will also miss the October friendly due to various reasons. Despite these absences, Kaita believes the team has enough attacking quality to cope. He acknowledged that Russia will have the edge playing on home soil. The friendly match will serve as another opportunity for head coach Éric Chelle to assess his squad.
Kaita, who won a silver medal with Nigeria at the 2008 Olympic Games, has strong links with Russian football, having played for Kuban Krasnodar, Lokomotiv Moscow, and Alania Vladikavkaz during his career. He expressed his admiration for the Russian people and culture. Kaita also welcomed the continued football relationship between Nigeria and Russia, emphasizing that the Russian national team is a serious opponent.
The October friendly will come one week after Nigeria's second 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Guinea-Bissau. This match will provide Éric Chelle with another chance to evaluate his team's performance and make necessary adjustments. Kaita expects a competitive match but predicts a 2-1 victory for Russia.
Kaita shared his insights with Championat, highlighting the challenges Nigeria will face without Osimhen. He emphasized that the coaching staff has a variety of attacking options to choose from. The Super Eagles are looking to build on their previous encounter with Russia, which ended in a draw.
The absence of key players has raised concerns about Nigeria's chances in the upcoming friendly. However, Kaita remains optimistic about the team's abilities. He noted that Nigeria has a talented squad that can adapt to the situation.
The friendly match against Russia will take place on October 6 at the Nizhny Novgorod Stadium. Nigeria's football relationship with Russia continues to grow, with both teams benefiting from the exchanges. Kaita's comments reflect the team's determination to make the most of the situation.
Key points
- Victor Osimhen's absence is a significant loss for Nigeria.
- Several key Nigeria internationals will also miss the friendly against Russia.
- Kaita predicts a 2-1 victory for Russia in the friendly match.
