Russian fans requesting jerseys of captain Moses Simon and defender Benjamin Fredricks.
Ikpeme Applauds Super Eagles After Dramatic Fightback Against Russia
By Our Reporter
Nizhny Novgorod (Core Reporters) – Acting General Secretary of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Dr Emmanuel Ikpeme, has praised the Super Eagles for their fighting spirit after they battled back from a two-goal deficit to secure a 3-3 draw against Russia in an international friendly in Nizhny Novgorod on Tuesday.
Ikpeme described the performance as a demonstration of the character and resilience expected of the three-time African champions, particularly with several young players making their international debuts.
“This is the Super Eagles we want to see turn up each and every time. The NFF and the Nigeria football family, and I believe all Nigerians at home and in the diaspora, are happy with this result.
“More than the result, the character displayed by the team was remarkable and made us proud.
“Given that we had so many young players, with many of them winning their first caps, the result is heartwarming,” he said.
Ikpeme, who was in Nizhny Novgorod with the team, urged the Super Eagles to carry the same determination into next month’s 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifying fixtures against Tanzania.
Nigeria will host the Taifa Stars at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium, Uyo, on Friday, November 13, before travelling to Dar es Salaam for the return fixture at the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium on Tuesday, November 17.
Against Russia, whom Nigeria drew 1-1 in another friendly in Moscow 16 months ago, the Super Eagles took an early lead through Kelechi Iheanacho.
The forward, who had been out of the national team for some time, caught the Russian goalkeeper off guard with a well-drilled grounder after just 10 minutes.
Russia equalised through Lechi Sadulaev on the half-hour mark before Matvey Kislyak put the hosts ahead two minutes into first-half stoppage time.
The Russians extended their advantage nine minutes into the second half through Aleksey Miranchuk, putting the hosts in apparent control of the encounter.
However, debutant Peter Edokpolor demonstrated strength and determination to power his way through the Russian defence and reduce the deficit in the 78th minute.
Akor Adams then completed the remarkable comeback four minutes into second-half stoppage time, drawing Nigeria level at 3-3.
The encouraging result has boosted optimism ahead of the Super Eagles’ crucial AFCON qualifying encounters with Tanzania next month.
It has also provided renewed confidence in Nigeria’s wider international football programme, with the U23 team set to face the Democratic Republic of Congo in the race for qualification for next year’s U23 Africa Cup of Nations.
The U23 side’s home-and-away fixtures against DR Congo are scheduled to take place within the same international window as the 2027 AFCON qualifiers next month.
