Super Eagles face Russia friendly with depleted squad

Nigeria’s Super Eagles will face Russia in Tuesday’s international friendly with a depleted squad following injuries and the inability of some invited players to secure their clubs’ release.

Captain Wilfred Ndidi is unavailable after sustaining a minor injury during Nigeria’s 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier against Guinea-Bissau last week.

Raphael Onyedika was also unable to join the team after his German club, Eintracht Frankfurt, declined to release him for the encounter.

Bright Osayi-Samuel and UAE-based midfielder Ridwan Abdulrasaq Popoola were similarly prevented by their clubs from travelling to Russia.

Victory Akpe, a Switzerland-based defender, also missed the trip due to injury, further limiting the options available to Head Coach Éric Chelle.

Moses Usor, who scored on his Nigeria debut against Madagascar in Uyo on Sept. 25, was initially not included in the travelling squad.

However, despite Chelle’s request for his release, Austrian club LASK FC instructed the player not to travel to Russia.

Suleiman Mubarak of Slavia Prague, Czechia, was another absentee after his residence permit was not secured in time for the trip.

The setbacks have left the Super Eagles with 18 players in camp ahead of the encounter against Russia.

Nigeria will be looking to improve on its last meeting with Russia, when both sides played out a 1-1 draw in Moscow 16 months ago.

Late invitee Ibraheem Ajasa of FC Rostov was expected to join the team’s camp in Nizhny Novgorod on Sunday evening.

18 Super Eagles 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).