Peter Edokpolor scored on his debut and Akor Adams struck in the 94th minute as an experimental Nigeria side came back from 3-1 down in Nizhny Novgorod.
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A late rescue in Nizhny Novgorod
Akor Adams scored in the 94th minute on Tuesday to rescue a 3-3 draw for the Super Eagles against Russia at the Nizhny Novgorod Stadium. Nigeria had trailed 3-1 in the second half of the international friendly. FootballInNigeria.com.ng reports that Kelechi Iheanacho also scored, on his return to the national team.
Peter Edokpolor, the 19 year old Benfica forward, pulled one back on his debut in the 78th minute. He beat his marker on the left and fired a shot that took a deflection on its way in. Substitute Umar Abubakar, also making his first appearance, then set up Adams for the leveller.
The Super Eagles arrived in Russia a week after a 3-0 defeat to Guinea-Bissau in a 2027 AFCON qualifier on September 29. Captain Wilfred Ndidi was out with a knock, Victor Osimhen and Ademola Lookman were unavailable, and several clubs refused to release players. Head coach Eric Chelle ended up without nine members of his preferred starting lineup.
The draw ended a strong run for Russia, who had won four straight games, scored 14 goals and conceded none. Three days earlier they beat Namibia 6-0 at the Ekaterinburg Arena. It was also Nigeria’s second straight draw against them, after a 1-1 result in Moscow on June 6, 2025.
Few expected this reshuffled group to hold a side in that form. Supporters planning to back the Super Eagles when qualifying resumes can look at the YOHAIG promo code before the next round of fixtures.
How Russia turned the game around
Iheanacho gave Nigeria a shock lead on 10 minutes, finishing low with his left foot after a pass from Abdullahi Bewene. Chelle had named an experimental side, and only Iheanacho and Moses Simon were experienced starters. Samuel James started in goal, with first time invitees Chibuzor Nwoko and Isaac James also in the XI.
Russia equalised through Lechi Sadulaev on 30 minutes, after Emmanuel Fernandez was dispossessed near the Nigerian box. Samuel James saved a header two minutes later. Matvey Kislyak still made it 2-1 in first half stoppage time with a low finish from a cross on the left.
Aleksey Miranchuk made it 3-1 in the second half when his low shot slipped under James, after Russia passed their way through the Nigerian defence. Chelle had made two changes at the break, bringing on Adams and Abdullahi Umar for Iheanacho and Stephen Michael. From there Russia kept Nigeria pinned back but could not add a fourth.
Edokpolor and Abubakar came on for Simon and Aderemi Adeoye with about 20 minutes left. Edokpolor scored on 78 minutes, and Abubakar saw a shot saved by the Russian goalkeeper in the 91st. Three minutes later he slipped the pass for Adams, who slotted home, and Russia sent a late header just over the bar.
Chelle’s verdict
Chelle credited a tactical tweak to his strikers for the fightback. He said Russia had the momentum on either side of half time but could not solve the change, which led to two Nigerian goals in transition. “I’m proud of my players,” he added.
The coach said he had two objectives, the 2027 AFCON and the Olympic Games. With clubs blocking releases, he brought players he plans to use at under-23 level. Some of them, he hinted, could make the senior squad in the next FIFA window.
Nigeria’s next qualifier is against Tanzania in November. Readers hunting for the latest offers before that tie can check today’s Bet9ja promo code.
What the draw tells us
A friendly with this many debuts proves only so much. Still, Edokpolor and Abubakar changed the game from the bench, and Chelle now has real evidence to work with.
The defence has questions to answer too. Russia scored once after a dispossession and once after neat passing in the box, and Isaac James nearly gifted them a goal with a poor back pass in the 14th minute.
Chelle needs results in November more than praise for a friendly, but this night gave him options. Super Eagles fans keen on staking when qualifiers resume can grab the Bet9ja welcome bonus before kick-off.
📌 Did You Know?
- Before kick-off, Nigeria sat 26th in the FIFA rankings and Russia 35th.
- Neither side played at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which is part of why the fixture was arranged.
- Russia were coached by Valeri Karpin, and kick-off was at 6pm Nigerian time.
- Slavia Prague midfielder Suleiman Mubarak had been in line for a debut but was ruled out by residence permit issues.
- Vince Osuji and John Otomewo were called up late to replace players who pulled out.
- Chelle’s squad drew on clubs in Turkey, Italy, France, Portugal and Czechia.
