This encounter offers the Super Eagles a crucial opportunity to fine-tune their strategies and build momentum ahead of their final four World Cup qualifiers.
Russia vs Nigeria
Friday 6 June, 18:00
Luzhniki Stadium
New tournament. Same goal ?
— Bet9ja: The home of #betBOOM! ? (@Bet9jaOfficial) May 20, 2025
Bet9ja are proud to be the official sponsor of @NGSuperEagles 2025 AFCON campaign!
Let’s Do It Again, Super Eagles ??? pic.twitter.com/4V91lWcCSN
Nigeria are heading into this clash on a strong run of form, having avoided defeat with four wins and two draws in their last six outings, while their only defeat in the last 12 outings across all competitions came in the Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers – a 2-1 loss to Rwanda.
Eric Chelle will be desperate for the Super Eagles to maintain that positive momentum with a victory and promising performance against Russia, with this match serving as Nigeria’s final game in preparation for their upcoming final four World Cup qualifiers.
Nigeria are fourth in CAF World Cup qualifying Group C with seven points from six games, after one win, four draws and one defeat, leaving them a point behind second-placed Rwanda in the play-off place and six points behind first-placed South Africa.
With just four matches remaining, Nigeria’s qualification is largely out of their hands, but the Super Eagles must secure as many points as possible if they are to give themselves the best chance of returning to the World Cup stage, having failed to qualify for the 2022 tournament.
The Super Eagles should be full of confidence heading into Friday’s clash, as the Super Eagles are still rejoicing from securing the Unity Cup trophy last week, defeating Ghana (2-1) and Jamaica (5-4 on penalties after a 2-2 draw) to lift the trophy.
In comparison, Russia have little riding on Friday’s outing, with the hosts not preparing for any World Cup qualifiers after being banned by FIFA.
In the meantime, Russia have competed in several friendlies in recent years, and the hosts are in strong form heading into this one, with eight consecutive victories and avoiding defeat in their last 11 outings.
While the hosts have little to play for, they will undoubtedly aim to continue that sensational streak of results and secure another victory in front of their home crowd at the iconic Luzhniki Stadium.
We ?????? this bet & could be in for another HUGE win! ??
— Bet9ja: The home of #betBOOM! ? (@Bet9jaOfficial) June 5, 2025
? Original win: ?368,616
? ??????? win: ?36,861,611
B9UL67742761907-22561049
Will you be next? ?#CatchTheBOOM
Team News
Nigeria are dealing with a heavily reshuffled squad list for their upcoming friendly against Russia, with several changes made due to a series of injuries and withdrawals.
Stanley Nwabili has been excused from the squad for personal reasons, meaning Udinese’s Maduka Okoye should start between the posts, while Ola Aina, Wilfred Ndidi, Sadiq Umar, Nathan Tella, Samuel Chukwueze and Kelechi Iheanacho are all also absent.
With several absences in the forward line, while Victor Osimhen was also not called up to the squad, Nigeria are likely to start a front line of Moses Simon, Victor Boniface and Tolu Arokodare.
As for Russia, Aleksandr Maksimenko is expected to continue as their first-choice goalkeeper ahead of Paris Saint-Germain’s back-up goalkeeper Matvey Safonov.
A similar team to the one that demolished Zambia 5-0 in their latest outing in March is expected to feature, including Maksim Glushenkov in attack after the forward scored a hattrick in that match.
Russia Predicted XI: Maksimenko; Vakhaniya, Diveev, Osipenko, Krugovoy; Komarov, Chernikov, Miranchuk; Glushenkov, Komlichenko, Mostovoy
Nigeria Predicted XI: Okoye; Onyemaechi, Ajayi, Troost-Ekong, Osayi-Samuel; Onyedika, Onyeka, Dele-Bashiru; Simon, Boniface, Arokodare
Bet9ja Tips
Russia come into this clash having enjoyed a remarkable run of results in recent outings, and playing in front of their home crowd at the iconic Luzhniki Stadium will certainly give them a major boost.
However, Nigeria will be eager to maintain their momentum as they look ahead to their upcoming World Cup qualifiers, where a string of positive results will be needed if they are to secure qualification.
With that in mind, we expect the Super Eagles to put up an extremely tough test for the hosts, but with Russia’s recent strength, we believe this one will end all square.
Bet9ja Odds (at time of writing): Russia to win: 2.00, Draw: 3.45, Nigeria to win: 3.55
Booking Codes:
Draw – Book Here
Draw & over 1.5 goals – Book Here
1-1 Correct Score – Book Here
