The Super Eagles will be without several invited players for Tuesday’s international friendly against Russia, with injuries and refusal by some clubs to release their players significantly weakening Nigeria’s squad for the encounter.
According to the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Captain Wilfred Ndidi is among the notable absentees after sustaining a minor knock during Nigeria’s 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying defeat to Guinea-Bissau last week.
Midfielder Raphael Onyedika has also been ruled out after his German club, Eintracht Frankfurt, stopped him from travelling to Russia.
Defenders Bright Osayi-Samuel and Switzerland-based Victory Akpe are also unavailable, with their respective situations further reducing Eric Chelle’s options. While Osayi-Samuel was prevented from joining the squad by his club, Akpe has been forced to withdraw due to injury.
More Read
Austria-based forward Moses Usor, who scored on his Super Eagles debut against Madagascar in Uyo on September 25, was not initially included in the travelling squad. However, after Chelle later requested his services, LASK informed the 20-year-old that he should not travel to Russia.
Suleiman Mubarak, who was invited from Czech Republic side Slavia Prague, is another absentee. The midfielder could not travel because his residence permit had not been secured.
The series of withdrawals leaves Nigeria with a depleted squad for Tuesday’s meeting with Russia, as Chelle looks to use the friendly to assess his options ahead of the Super Eagles’ next competitive assignments.
Nigeria and Russia are meeting for the second time in recent years after playing out a 1-1 draw at Moscow’s Luzhniki Stadium in June 2025. The Russians took the lead through a 27th-minute own goal by Semi Ajayi before Tolu Arokodare equalised for Nigeria in the second half.
Late invitee Ibraheem Ajasa of Russian club FC Rostov was expected to join the Super Eagles camp in Nizhny Novgorod on Sunday evening, potentially taking the number of available players to 19.
Despite the challenges, 18 Super Eagles players are currently in Russia for the friendly.
The team held their first training session on Saturday with 17 players taking part while their second training session was held on Sunday with 18 players present.
Chelle will hope the available players can rise to the occasion against Russia as Nigeria seek to bounce back from their disappointing 3-0 defeat to Guinea-Bissau in their latest 2027 AFCON qualifier.
18 SUPER EAGLES IN RUSSIA FOR FRIENDLY MATCH
Goalkeepers: Michael Atata (Ikorodu City); Samuel James (SJK FC, Finland); Stanley Nwabali (Chippa United, South Africa).
Defenders: Kenneth Igboke (Enugu Rangers); Isaac James (Alverca FC, Portugal); Benjamin Fredrick (Brentford FC, England); Emmanuel Fernandez (Glasgow Rangers, Scotland); Abdullahi Bewene (FC Banik Ostrava, Czechia).
Midfielders: Chibuzo Nwoke (Fulham FC, England); Stephen Michael (Vendsyssel FF, Denmark); Igor Wilfred (Kristiansund FC, Norway); Aderemi Adeoye (Ikorodu City).
Forwards: Kelechi Iheanacho (Bursaspor FC, Turkey); Moses Simon (Paris FC, France); Akor Adams (Venezia FC, Italy); Peter Edokpolor (SL Benfica, Portugal); Abubakar Umar (FC Famalicao, Portugal); Abdullahi Umar (Hradec Kralove, Czechia).
© Bold Sports Media. All rights reserved. If sharing, kindly credit Bold Sports as the source and include a link to the original post. Unauthorised use is prohibited.
