Russia’s national team head coach, Valery Karpin, has cautioned against underestimating the Super Eagles of Nigeria, highlighting their quality even in the absence of key forwards Victor Osimhen and Ademola Lookman. The teams are set to face off in an international friendly on Friday at the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow.
Speaking to journalists after Russia’s open training session on Thursday, Karpin acknowledged Nigeria’s strength while noting that both sides are missing notable 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.”
Despite the absences, Karpin assured fans that his team is fully prepared to deliver a strong performance.
“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 provided insight into the absence of Osimhen and Lookman, explaining their focus on club commitments.
“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.
He also clarified the unavailability of other key 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,” Chelle explained.
Reflecting on the significance of the match, Chelle, who recently guided Nigeria to victory in the Unity Cup tournament in London, emphasised its role in preparing for upcoming competitions.
“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 concluded.