The Super Eagles will be without seven players for Tuesday’s international friendly against Russia after injuries, club restrictions and a residence permit issue affected the squad.
Captain Wilfred Ndidi is among the players ruled out after picking up a knock during the 2027 AFCON qualifying defeat to Guinea-Bissau. The withdrawals have reduced Eric Chelle’s available squad to 18 players in Russia ahead of the encounter at the Nizhny Novgorod Stadium.
The seven unavailable players are Wilfred Ndidi, Raphael Onyedika, Bright Osayi-Samuel, Ridwan Abdulrasaq Popoola, Victory Akpe, Moses Usor and Suleiman Mubarak.
According to the NFF, Raphael Onyedika was prevented from travelling by his German club Eintracht Frankfurt, while Bright Osayi-Samuel and Ridwan Abdulrasaq Popoola were similarly withheld by their respective clubs. Victory Akpe was ruled out through injury.
Moses Usor, who scored on his Nigeria debut in the 2-1 victory over Madagascar on September 25, was initially not included but was later requested by Chelle, however his Austrian club LASK told him not to travel to Russia. Suleiman Mubarak, invited from Slavia Prague, could not travel because his residence permit had not been secured.
The 18 Super Eagles players in Russia are:
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).
The Super Eagles will face Russia on Tuesday, October 6, in their second meeting in 16 months. The two sides played a 1-1 draw in Moscow in June 2025.
