Kaita Calls Osimhen's Injury a Major Loss for Nigeria

Nigeria international Sani Kaita expressed that Victor Osimhen's absence from the Super Eagles due to injury is a “huge loss” ahead of their friendly match against Russia on October 6 at the Nizhny Novgorod Stadium. Kaita acknowledged Osimhen's importance but maintained that Nigeria possesses sufficient attacking quality to manage without him.

He mentioned that several other established players, including Ademola Lookman, Alex Iwobi, Calvin Bassey, Bruno Onyemaechi, Samuel Chukwueze, and Ola Aina, will also miss the match. Kaita predicted a 2-1 victory for Russia, citing the advantage of playing on home soil.

He emphasized the high quality of the Russian national team and expressed admiration for the Russian culture, reflecting on his past experiences in Russian football with clubs like Kuban Krasnodar, Lokomotiv Moscow, and Alania Vladikavkaz. The friendly match follows Nigeria's second 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Guinea-Bissau.