Former Nigeria midfielder Sani Kaita has acknowledged the challenge facing the Super Eagles with Victor Osimhen unavailable for their October meeting with Russia.
Osimhen is continuing his recovery from injury and will miss the friendly at the Nizhny Novgorod Stadium on October 6. Kaita said his absence would be significant but maintained that Nigeria have alternatives in attack.
“Of course, Osimhen’s absence is a huge loss for our team. However, Nigeria has other high-level players who can replace him, and the coaching staff has a variety of attacking options,” he told Championat.
The striker is one of several established internationals who will not feature, with Ademola Lookman, Alex Iwobi, Calvin Bassey, Bruno Onyemaechi, Samuel Chukwueze and Ola Aina also set to miss the game.
Nigeria and Russia last met in Moscow in June 2025, when the sides played out a 1-1 draw. The October fixture will be their second meeting in 16 months.
Kaita expects Russia to take advantage of home conditions, predicting a 2-1 victory for the hosts.
“I’m confident it will be a top-notch match. My prediction for the game is 2-1 for Russia,” he said.
The former midfielder has previous experience of Russian football, having represented Kuban Krasnodar, Lokomotiv Moscow and Alania Vladikavkaz. He also welcomed the continued football ties between the two countries.
“In Nigeria, they understand that the Russian national team is a serious opponent, and we know how high-quality the Russian team is,” Kaita said.
The Russia friendly is scheduled for one week after Nigeria’s second 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Guinea-Bissau.
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