Akor Adams’ Late Goal Rescues Super Eagles in Thrilling 3-3 Draw Against Russia

Nigeria’s Super Eagles secured a dramatic 3-3 draw against Russia on Tuesday after Akor Adams struck in stoppage time to complete a spirited comeback in an entertaining international friendly at the Nizhny Novgorod Stadium.

Adams found the decisive equaliser in the 90+4th minute, finishing a counter-attack initiated by Emmanuel Fernandez and assisted by Umar Abdullahi. The late goal denied Russia victory after the hosts had taken control of the contest and established a two-goal advantage.

The result represents a significant response from Nigeria following the disappointing 3-0 defeat to Guinea-Bissau in the Super Eagles’ second 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying fixture.

Nigeria had entered the Russia friendly with pressure to produce a stronger performance, particularly after a difficult start to the October international window. The team had previously defeated Madagascar 2-1 in Uyo before suffering the heavy setback in Bissau.

The Super Eagles, operating with a considerably changed squad under head coach Eric Chelle, showed resilience after falling two goals behind. Kelechi Iheanacho and debutant Peter Edokpolor were also among Nigeria’s scorers as the three-time African champions fought their way back into the match.

The encounter also provided Chelle with an opportunity to assess several players outside his established core. The Nigeria Football Federation had initially named a 24-man squad for the fixture, including Akor Adams, Moses Simon, Stanley Nwabali, Kelechi Iheanacho and several players receiving their first senior invitations.

The draw continues the competitive history between Nigeria and Russia. Their previous meeting, played in Moscow in June 2025, also ended in a draw, with both sides sharing a 1-1 result.

For Chelle, the six-goal encounter offered both positives and areas requiring further attention. While conceding three goals will raise questions about Nigeria’s defensive organisation, the late recovery demonstrated the team’s ability to remain competitive under pressure.

The friendly was particularly valuable for Nigeria as the coaching staff continues to assess squad depth and prepare for the more consequential stages of the 2027 AFCON qualifying campaign. With new players being integrated into the national setup, the Russia match provided an opportunity to test combinations and character against a strong opponent.

Adams’ late intervention ultimately ensured that Nigeria left Nizhny Novgorod with a positive result. More importantly, the comeback gave the Super Eagles an opportunity to rebuild some confidence after their difficult outing in Guinea-Bissau.

Akor Adams scored a stoppage-time equaliser as Nigeria’s Super Eagles fought back from behind to draw 3-3 with Russia in an international friendly.