In an unfortunate repeat of past occurrences, Nigeria’s Super Eagles were left empty-handed after pulling off a spirited comeback against Russia.
During their historic first-ever senior international clash in June 2025, Russian officials invested $1.2 million to secure the encounter. That showdown ended in a 1-1 stalemate, courtesy of an equalizer from forward Tolu Arokodare.
Their latest encounter saw an experimental Nigerian squad—featuring nine players earning their maiden international caps—stage a courageous fightback to seal a thrilling 3-3 draw on Russian soil.
Reports indicate that the Nigeria Football Federation collected a $600,000 appearance fee for participating in the friendly fixture.
Despite this financial windfall, the players received nothing for their efforts, missing out on both match bonuses and standard appearance payments. An insider disclosed that the squad walked away without a single cent, adding that officials made no commitments regarding future compensation.