Super Eagles lose key players as Russia friendly approaches

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The Super Eagles will be without several key players for Tuesday’s international friendly against Russia after injuries, club restrictions and travel documentation issues depleted the squad ahead of the encounter.

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The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) said on Sunday that the setbacks had significantly weakened the team, with only 18 players available in Russia for the match.

Captain Wilfred Ndidi is among those ruled out after sustaining a minor injury during Nigeria’s 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying match against Guinea-Bissau last week.

Midfielder Raphael Onyedika was also unable to travel after his German club, Eintracht Frankfurt, reportedly stopped him from joining the squad.

Defender Bright Osayi-Samuel and UAE-based midfielder Ridwan Abdulrasaq Popoola were similarly prevented from travelling by their clubs, while Switzerland-based defender Victory Akpe was ruled out through injury.

The NFF also disclosed that Moses Usor, who scored on his Super Eagles debut against Madagascar in Uyo on 25 September, could not join the team despite a late request from head coach Éric Chelle.

Usor’s Austrian club, LASK, reportedly declined to release him for the trip to Russia.

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Another absentee is Suleiman Mubarak, who was invited from Czech club Slavia Prague but could not travel because he had not secured his residence permit.

The withdrawals have left Chelle with limited options as Nigeria prepare to face Russia, nicknamed the Boys, in their second meeting in 16 months.

The teams played out a 1-1 draw at Moscow’s Luzhniki Stadium in June 2025, with Tolu Arokodare scoring Nigeria’s equaliser after Semi Ajayi’s own goal had given the hosts the lead.

Ajasa expected to join camp

The NFF said late invitee Ibraheem Ajasa of Russian club FC Rostov was expected to join the team’s camp in Nizhny Novgorod on Sunday evening.

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The 18 players currently available comprise three goalkeepers, five defenders, four midfielders and six forwards.

Nigeria’s 18-man squad in Russia

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 Fredricks (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).