Russia national team head coach, Valery Karpin, has warned that the Super Eagles of Nigeria remain a formidable side despite the absence of key forwards Victor Osimhen and Ademola Lookman ahead of Friday’s international friendly at the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow.
Speaking to journalists after Russia’s open training session on Thursday, Karpin acknowledged the quality of the Nigerian team and insisted that their threat remains intact, even without some of their star players.
“Nigeria is a strong team. Their leaders didn’t come — yes, but that’s their problem. Ours didn’t come either. For example, Golovin and Diveev. I can name others,” Karpin told Sports Express. “I’ve always said it doesn’t matter who we play — we want to show what we’ve worked on. That’s the focus.”
The Russian coach, who expressed disappointment over the absence of his own key players, assured fans that his side is prepared to deliver a strong performance, regardless of the opposition.
“It’s obviously more difficult to press teams like Serbia and Cameroon, but that’s exactly what I want to see — how we defend and transition from the back. The demands don’t change. We’re preparing the right way,” he added.
Meanwhile, Super Eagles manager Eric Chelle has explained the absence of Osimhen and Lookman, stating that both players are focusing on their club futures.
“Osimhen and Lookman are exceptional talents with great technique and intelligence. But the season is over, and they’re at a point where they need to make important decisions about their club careers. That’s why they’re not with us for this match,” Chelle said.
Chelle also addressed the absence of other notable players, including Nathan Tella, Samuel Chukwueze, and Wilfred Ndidi.
“Nathan Tella is unavailable due to passport and visa issues. Samuel Chukwueze had to attend to family matters, and Wilfred Ndidi is recovering from an injury,” he explained.
Chelle, who recently led Nigeria to victory in the Unity Cup tournament in London, emphasised the importance of the friendly match in preparing the team for the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations and the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.
“This match is crucial in shaping the squad for what lies ahead. We’re using it as an opportunity to evaluate the team and prepare for key competitions,” he added.
