Born in Ukraine, he played as a goalkeeper, and has represented the Kazakhstan national football team, for whom he has earned two caps.
His became a regular for FK Aktobe, making 32 appearances in his first season with the club as they finished in fourth place, just five points off an UEFA Cup spot.
2006 was to be Nesterenko's final year with FK Aktobe, and they finished in second place in the league, qualifying for the UEFA Cup.
After attending a trial along with two team-mates while playing for Kaysar Kyzylorda,[8] Astana signed Roman as one of their goalkeepers in December 2008.
[11] Despite having dropped to the Kazakhstan First Division for the first time in his career, Nesterenko only made ten appearances in his second spell for Kaysar.
[12] He left after the promotion season, joining FC Ordabasy of the Kazakhstan Premier League, who became the eighth club of a lengthy career.
[15][16] Despite this, Nesterenko was an unused substitute in Ordabasy's 1–0 2011 Kazakhstan Cup final win over FC Tobol on 13 November.
Nesterenko made his international debut at the unlikely age of 34, with manager Miroslav Beránek including him in his squad for 2011 friendlies and qualifying matches.