Russia manager Valery Karpin has downplayed suggestions that Nigeria will field a weakened side when the Super Eagles take on his team in an international friendly in Moscow on June 6, footynaija.com reports.

Star forwards Victor Osimhen and Ademola Lookman have been left out of Nigeria’s squad, with coach Eric Chelle explaining that he wants to give other players a chance. Both attackers are tipped for high-profile summer moves, and their absence may also be a precaution against injury.

Fulham duo Alex Iwobi and Calvin Bassey, regular starters for Nigeria, will also sit out after a demanding season in which they clocked up 81 appearances between them.

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Despite the missing big names, Karpin insists the Super Eagles remain formidable.

“It doesn’t change our preparation at all. Without Osimhen and Lookman, there will be other equally good footballers,” Karpin told Komsomolskaya Pravda.

“Now there are many media outlets… They write: ‘Nigeria is bringing a second team’ only because two leaders didn’t come.”

The Russian coach also pointed out that his own team will be missing key players.

“Then we can also say that we are bringing a second team. We don’t have Golovin, we don’t have Zakharyan… Safonov was not there. But no one is talking about this.”

Karpin admitted he would have preferred Osimhen and Lookman to test his side’s level but remains respectful of Nigeria’s strength.

“I repeat, I would like to have both Osimhen and Lookman… But their absence certainly does not make Nigeria fundamentally weaker.”

Nigeria recently lifted the Unity Cup in London, beating Ghana and Jamaica under head coach Eric Chelle.