Russia's head coach Valery Karpin has announced a 41-man squad for the upcoming friendly match against Nigeria's Super Eagles, marking the first-ever meeting between the two nations at senior level.
The highly anticipated friendly is scheduled to take place on Friday, June 6, at the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow. Paris Saint-Germain goalkeeper Matvey Safonov headlines the Russian squad for this historic encounter.
Meanwhile, Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle has already named his 21-player squad for the match. The Nigerian team will first participate in the Unity Cup invitational tournament in London before traveling to Russia for the friendly.
According to reports, the Nigerian contingent is set to depart for London on Sunday to begin preparations for the Unity Cup. Both tournaments serve as crucial preparation for Nigeria ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers scheduled for September and October.
This friendly represents a significant opportunity for both teams to test their squads against quality opposition. For the Super Eagles, it offers valuable experience against European competition, while Russia gains exposure to African football's three-time continental champions.
Football enthusiasts are eagerly anticipating this first-ever clash between the two football nations, which promises to be an exciting display of talent from both sides.
