The Russian Football League (RFU) announced that the country’s men’s national team will play an international friendly match against Nigeria’s Super Hawks on June 6.
RFU confirmed the fixture in a statement on its official website on Thursday, February 13, noting that the game will be held in Russia, although the exact time and venue have not been determined.
Russia will also face Zambia in March before facing Belarus on June 10.
Russia has been banned from FIFA and UEFA competitions for its invasion of Ukraine since 2022, a decision suspending clubs for all Russian national teams and international competitions. However, in 2023, FIFA relaxed restrictions to allow Russian U-17 teams to compete under the neutral banner of the “Russian Football League” without the country’s national flag, national anthem or official suite.
Despite the ban, Russia’s senior national team is still playing friendly matches with non-Western countries. NFF has not issued an official statement on fixtures and if the game continues to move forward, it will mark the first meeting between Nigeria and Russia at the senior level of international football.
