Former Nigeria international Sani Kaita says Victor Osimhen’s absence is a major setback but believes the Super Eagles have enough attacking options to cope against Russia.

Nigeria’s preparations for their October international friendly against Russia have taken on an added dimension, with the absence of Victor Osimhen set to give head coach Éric Chelle another opportunity to examine the depth of his attacking options.

Former Super Eagles midfielder Sani Kaita has acknowledged the significance of Osimhen’s absence but believes Nigeria are not without alternatives as they prepare for the October 6 meeting with Russia in Nizhny Novgorod.

Osimhen is continuing his recovery from a right-thigh muscle injury suffered while playing for Galatasaray. The Nigeria Football Federation confirmed earlier this month that the striker would miss the country’s opening 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Madagascar and Guinea-Bissau.  

His availability for the Russia friendly remains dependent on his rehabilitation and return to club action.

Kaita, however, sees the situation as a challenge rather than a reason for Nigeria to abandon its attacking ambitions.

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

The former midfielder’s assessment comes at a time when Chelle is being forced to consider alternatives across the forward line.

Nigeria have already lost several established players from the squad expected to face Russia, with Ademola Lookman, Alex Iwobi, Calvin Bassey, Bruno Onyemaechi, Samuel Chukwueze and Ola Aina also listed among those expected to miss the encounter.  

That makes the friendly more than a conventional international fixture.

For Chelle, it could become an examination of how effectively Nigeria can maintain its attacking structure when its most recognisable goalscorer is unavailable.

The options include Taiwo Awoniyi, Akor Adams, Tolu Arokodare and George Ilenikhena, while Moses Simon and Moses Usor provide further attacking alternatives. Cyriel Dessers has also recently opted to remain with Panathinaikos during the international break as he continues his recovery and preparation.  

Osimhen’s international record illustrates what Nigeria are being asked to replace. The striker has scored 35 goals in 52 appearances for the Super Eagles since making his debut in 2017.  

Yet the present situation could provide Chelle with useful information about the players behind him.

The Russia fixture comes only a week after Nigeria’s second 2027 AFCON qualifier against Guinea-Bissau, meaning the friendly will also serve as an opportunity to assess the squad beyond the immediate qualification campaign.  

Kaita, who played for Kuban Krasnodar, Lokomotiv Moscow and Alania Vladikavkaz during his career, expects Russia to pose a significant challenge on home soil.

He predicted a 2-1 victory for the hosts while describing Russia as a “serious opponent” and welcoming the continued football relationship between the two countries.  

For Nigeria, however, the larger question may extend beyond the result.

The absence of Osimhen presents Chelle with an opportunity to determine whether the Super Eagles can reproduce their attacking threat through a collective approach rather than relying heavily on one of their most prolific finishers.