Eric Patrick
The Russian Football Union (RFU) has announced that its men’s national team will face Nigeria’s Super Eagles in an international friendly on June 6.
In a statement posted on its website on Thursday, the RFU confirmed that the match will take place in Russia, although the exact venue and kick-off time are yet to be decided.
Russia is also set to play two other friendly matches—against Zambia in March and Belarus on June 10.
The RFU stated that agreements had been reached with the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) and the respective football bodies of Zambia and Belarus to arrange the fixtures.
However, Russia remains banned from international football competitions by FIFA and UEFA due to its 2022 invasion of Ukraine. The suspension prohibits Russian national teams and clubs from participating in FIFA and UEFA-sanctioned tournaments.
In 2023, FIFA partially eased the restrictions, allowing Russian U-17 teams to compete under the name “Football Union of Russia” but without their national flag, anthem, or official team colors.
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Despite the ongoing ban, Russia’s senior national team has continued to play non-FIFA-sanctioned friendlies against non-Western nations.
The NFF has yet to issue an official statement confirming its stance on the friendly. If the match goes ahead, it will mark the first-ever senior-level international fixture between Nigeria and Russia.