Super Eagles Face Russia With 19 Players After Seven Withdrawals

Nigeria’s Super Eagles will face Russia in an international friendly in Nizhny Novgorod on Tuesday with 19 players available after seven players withdrew from the squad because of injuries, club restrictions and documentation problems.

The Nigeria Football Federation confirmed that captain Wilfred Ndidi and Basel defender Victor Akpe were ruled out through injury. Ndidi sustained a knock during Nigeria’s 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying defeat to Guinea-Bissau, while Akpe was unable to travel because of an injury.

Raphael Onyedika, Bright Osayi-Samuel and Ridwan Abdulrasaq Popoola were also unavailable after their respective clubs declined to release them for the fixture. Austria-based forward Moses Usor, who scored on his Super Eagles debut against Madagascar, was similarly prevented by LASK from travelling after he was subsequently requested by head coach Éric Chelle.

Suleiman Mubarak of Slavia Prague was the seventh withdrawal. His absence was attributed to an unresolved residence-permit issue that prevented him from travelling to Russia.

The departures significantly altered Chelle’s original plans, but the squad was strengthened by the late arrival of Ibrahim Ajasa from Russian club FC Rostov. His inclusion brought the number of players in camp to 19 ahead of the encounter.

The 19 players currently in camp are Moses Simon, Akor Adams, Stanley Nwabali, Kelechi Iheanacho, Emmanuel Fernandez, Benjamin Frederick, Wilfred Igor, Samuel James, Kenneth Igboke, Chibuzor Nwoko, Umar Abubakar, Peter Edokpolor, Abdullahi Bewene, Umar Abdullai, Atata Michael, Aderemi Adeoye, Isaac James, Michael Stephen and Ibrahim Ajasa.

The friendly gives Chelle an opportunity to assess several less-established players while also preparing Nigeria for its forthcoming international commitments. The Super Eagles enter the match after a 2–1 victory over Madagascar followed by a 3–0 defeat to Guinea-Bissau in their latest AFCON qualifying fixture.

Russia, meanwhile, arrive with confidence after victories over Iran and Namibia, including a 6–0 win against Namibia. Nigeria and Russia previously met in Moscow in June 2025, when the sides played out a 1–1 draw.

For Nigeria, the encounter will therefore serve both as a competitive international test and an opportunity for Chelle to examine the depth of his squad amid a series of late changes.

Nigeria’s Super Eagles face Russia with 19 players after seven withdrawals caused by injuries, club restrictions and a residence-permit issue.