Russia head coach Valery Karpin has expressed disappointment with the 1-1 draw against Nigeria's Super Eagles, claiming his team deserved more from the international friendly match held at the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow on Friday night.
The Russians took the lead when Super Eagles defender Semi Ajayi inadvertently diverted the ball into his own net, but Nigeria equalized through striker Tolu Arokodare to secure a draw for the visitors.
Russia's Dominant Performance
Despite the scoreline, Russia impressed with their high-pressing style and direct attacking play, creating several clear opportunities throughout the match. The hosts also demonstrated defensive solidity, limiting Nigeria to few shots on target.
"Absolutely everything: from pressure to... I can't remember a single moment except a mistake when playing out," Karpin said after the game, highlighting his satisfaction with his team's overall performance.
"They didn't create threats for us, but we created chances. Melekhin has — after a free kick, Barinov has — after leaving defense. The goal we missed can hardly be called created by Nigeria — there wasn't even pressure there," he added.
Okoye's Heroics Save Nigeria
Super Eagles goalkeeper Maduka Okoye emerged as the hero for Nigeria, making several crucial saves that denied Russia a victory. His performance was instrumental in securing the draw for the African side.
The result comes after Russia's impressive 5-0 victory over another African team, Zambia, in their previous friendly match. Karpin acknowledged that Nigeria presented a much tougher challenge than their previous opponents.
"They are all – very athletic, powerful, strong teams. Cameroon and Nigeria are noticeably higher in level than Zambia and Kenya. Even the FIFA rating confirms this. They cannot be compared. Nigeria and Cameroon – more interesting."
The friendly match served as valuable preparation for both teams ahead of their upcoming competitive fixtures, with Nigeria continuing their preparations for the 2026 World Cup qualifiers.
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