Russia’s national team head coach, Valery Karpin, has warned that Nigeria’s Super Eagles remain a formidable side despite missing key forwards Victor Osimhen and Ademola Lookman ahead of Friday’s friendly at Moscow’s Luzhniki Stadium.
After Russia’s open training session on Thursday, Karpin acknowledged the quality of Nigeria’s team and insisted their threat remains despite some absences.
“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.”
Karpin also expressed disappointment over missing his own key players but promised 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 said.
Super Eagles manager Eric Chelle explained the absences, saying Osimhen and Lookman are focusing on their club futures. “Osimhen and Lookman are exceptional talents… but the season is over, and they’re at a point where they need to make important decisions about their club careers,” he said.
Other absences include Nathan Tella (passport issues), Samuel Chukwueze (family matters), and Wilfred Ndidi (injury). Chelle stressed the match’s importance in preparing for upcoming tournaments.