Russia head coach Valery Karpin expects a difficult encounter against Nigeria despite the absence of several of the Super Eagles’ biggest stars.
Softfootball understands that Nigeria will face Russia in a friendly encounter without key attackers Victor Osimhen and Ademola Lookman, but Karpin believes their absence will not make the match straightforward.
The Russian coach acknowledged the quality available within the Nigerian squad and warned his players against underestimating their opponents because of the missing stars.
Karpin expects Nigeria to remain dangerous due to the depth and physical qualities within their squad, with other players capable of causing problems for the Russian defence.
The friendly will provide both teams with an opportunity to assess their squads and test different tactical approaches ahead of more competitive international assignments.
For Nigeria, the fixture also represents another opportunity for Chelle to evaluate players and develop a squad capable of competing without depending exclusively on its biggest names.
Karpin’s comments underline the respect Russia have for the Super Eagles, despite the absence of some of Nigeria’s most recognised attacking players. The encounter is expected to provide an intriguing test for both sides.
