The Acting General Secretary of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Dr Emmanuel Ikpeme, has praised the Super Eagles for their remarkable comeback in Tuesday’s 3-3 draw with Russia in an international friendly in Nizhny Novgorod.
“This is the Super Eagles we want to see turn up each and every time. The NFF, the Nigeria football family, and I believe all Nigerians at home and in the diaspora, are happy with this result.
“More than the result, the character displayed by the team was remarkable and made us proud. Given that we had so many young players, many of them winning their first caps, the result is heartwarming,” Ikpeme said.
Ikpeme, who was in Nizhny Novgorod with the three-time African champions, urged the team to carry the same spirit and determination into next month’s 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying fixtures against Tanzania.
Nigeria will host the Taifa Stars at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo on Friday, November 13, before travelling to Dar es Salaam for the return leg at the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium on Tuesday, November 17.
The draw against Russia has boosted hopes that the Super Eagles can secure a double over Tanzania in the AFCON qualifiers.
It has also raised optimism about the U-23 team’s chances of overcoming the Democratic Republic of Congo in the race for a place at next year’s U-23 Africa Cup of Nations.
The U-23 team’s home-and-away encounters against DR Congo will also take place during the same international window as the 2027 AFCON qualifiers next month.
