Russia head coach Valeri Karpin has praised Nigeria and Cameroon as stronger teams than Zambia and Kenya, following his side’s 1–1 draw with the Super Eagles in an international friendly.
According to a post-match report by local Moscow outlets, the encounter marked Russia’s fourth recent match against African opposition, after previous clashes with Cameroon, Zambia, and Kenya.
Karpin addressed the media shortly after the final whistle at Luzhniki Stadium. When asked about his impression of African teams, he emphasized their athleticism and competitive standards.
“They are all very athletic, powerful, strong teams. Cameroon and Nigeria are significantly higher in level than Zambia and Kenya,” Karpin said. “Even the FIFA ranking confirms this. They cannot be compared. Nigeria and Cameroon are more interesting.”
The match saw Russia score first before Nigeria responded with an equaliser. The contest provided a solid test for both squads, who are currently focused on building form ahead of upcoming competitions.
Karpin has used these friendlies to challenge his squad tactically and assess depth, often selecting diverse lineups to adapt to different playing styles. His recognition of top-tier African teams such as Nigeria and Cameroon aligns with their past World Cup appearances and their reputation for producing players in top European leagues.
Despite expressing concerns over parts of his team’s recent performances, Karpin sees matches against strong African sides as valuable opportunities.
Article updated 4 months ago. Content is written and modified by multiple authors.
