Osimhen’s Absence Huge Loss for Nigeria, Says Kaita

Former Nigeria international Sani Kaita has described Victor Osimhen’s absence as a major loss for the Super Eagles ahead of their international engagements.

Osimhen is expected to miss Nigeria’s friendly against Russia on October 6 as he continues his recovery from a muscle injury sustained while playing for Galatasaray.

Kaita acknowledged the striker’s importance to the national team but said Nigeria still had quality attacking options capable of filling the gap.

“Osimhen’s absence is a huge loss for our team. However, Nigeria has other high-level players who can replace him, and the coaching staff has a variety of attacking options,” Kaita said in an interview with Championat.

The former midfielder also discussed Nigeria’s upcoming meeting with Russia at the Nizhny Novgorod Stadium, with the fixture marking the second encounter between both countries in 16 months.

Their previous meeting in Moscow in June 2025 ended in a 1-1 draw.

Several other established Nigeria internationals are also expected to miss the October friendly, including Ademola Lookman, Alex Iwobi, Calvin Bassey, Bruno Onyemaechi, Samuel Chukwueze and Ola Aina.

Kaita said the match would be a competitive encounter but predicted a 2-1 victory for Russia.

“I’m confident it will be a top-notch match,” he said.

Kaita, who won a silver medal with Nigeria at the 2008 Olympic Games, has strong ties with Russian football, having played for Kuban Krasnodar, Lokomotiv Moscow and Alania Vladikavkaz.

He also welcomed the continued football relationship between Nigeria and Russia, describing the Russian national team as a serious opponent.

The October friendly will provide Super Eagles Head Coach Éric Chelle with another opportunity to assess his squad and test alternative attacking options in Osimhen’s absence.