Nigeria’s Super Eagles preparation for Tuesday’s international friendly against Russia has been hit by injuries and club restrictions.
The NFF confirmed 7 players are unavailable, leaving coach Éric Chelle with 18 players in camp in Nizhny Novgorod ahead of the match on October 6.
Unavailable:
- Wilfred Ndidi (Captain) – knock sustained in last week’s 2027 AFCON qualifier against Guinea-Bissau
- Raphael Onyedika – stopped by Eintracht Frankfurt, Germany
- Bright Osayi-Samuel – stopped by Birmingham City
- Ridwan Abdulrasaq Popoola – stopped by Al-Wasl, UAE
- Victory Akpe – injury (Switzerland)
- Moses Usor – initially not listed, later called after scoring on debut vs Madagascar on Sept 25, but LASK FC Austria refused release
- Suleiman Mubarak – invited from Slavia Prague, Czechia but couldn’t travel due to residence permit issue
Late invitee Ibraheem Ajasa of FC Rostov, Russia is expected to join to make 19.
This is Nigeria’s second meeting with Russia in 16 months after a 1-1 draw at Luzhniki Stadium, Moscow in June 2025.
18 players in Russia:
Goalkeepers: Michael Atata (Ikorodu City), Samuel James (SJK Finland), Stanley Nwabali (Chippa United SA)
Defenders: Kenneth Igboke (Enugu Rangers), Isaac James (Alverca Portugal), Benjamin Fredricks (Brentford), Emmanuel Fernandez (Rangers Scotland), Abdullahi Bewene (Banik Ostrava Czechia)
Midfielders: Chibuzo Nwoke (Fulham), Stephen Michael (Vendsyssel Denmark), Igor Wilfred (Kristiansund Norway), Aderemi Adeoye (Ikorodu City)
Forwards: Kelechi Iheanacho (Bursaspor Turkey), Moses Simon (Paris FC), Akor Adams (Venezia Italy), Peter Edokpolor (Benfica Portugal), Abubakar Umar (Famalicao Portugal), Abdullahi Umar (Hradec Kralove Czechia)