'Even the FIFA ranking confirms this' - Russia coach says Nigeria, Cameroon are superior to Zambia, Kenya

Russia head coach Valeri Karpin has praised the quality and physical strength of African national teams after his side played out a 1–1 draw with Nigeria in an international friendly held at Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow.

The encounter marked Russia’s fourth match against African opposition in recent times, following previous friendlies against Cameroon, Zambia, and Kenya. 

During the post-match press conference, Karpin acknowledged the athleticism and competitive edge that African teams bring to international fixtures.

"This is already the fourth match against the African team. How would you rate African football?" Karpin was asked. 

He responded: "They are all very athletic, powerful, strong teams. Cameroon and Nigeria are significantly higher in level than Zambia and Kenya. 

"Even the FIFA ranking confirms this. They cannot be compared. Nigeria and Cameroon are more interesting.”

The 1–1 draw against Nigeria highlighted the progress of both sides, with Russia taking the lead before Nigeria equalised. 

Karpin’s comments reflect a growing respect for African teams, particularly those at the top tier like Nigeria and Cameroon, who have both qualified for multiple FIFA World Cups and boast players in top European leagues.

While Karpin has been critical of certain elements of his team’s performance in recent matches, he has consistently used friendlies against African sides to test tactical flexibility and squad depth. 

His latest assessment suggests that he sees value in such encounters, not only for their competitive nature but also for the physical and technical challenges they present.

Wale Adejumo

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