Super Eagles’ Russia Friendly Hit by Injuries and Club Restrictions

The Super Eagles will face Russia in Tuesday’s international friendly with a depleted squad after injuries, club restrictions and an administrative issue affected Nigeria’s preparations.

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) Communications Department said the combination of clubs refusing to release some players and injuries to notable names has “seriously weakened” the Super Eagles squad ahead of the encounter with Russia.

According to the NFF, captain Wilfred Ndidi will miss the match after sustaining a small knock during last week’s 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying match against Guinea-Bissau.

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

Defender Bright Osayi-Samuel and UAE-based midfielder Ridwan Abdulrasaq Popoola were similarly stopped from travelling by their clubs.

Switzerland-based defender Victory Akpe was another absentee after an injury prevented him from flying to Russia.

The NFF also revealed that Moses Usor, who scored on his Nigeria debut against Madagascar in Uyo on September 25, was not originally listed for the Russia trip.

However, after head coach Éric Chelle later requested the Austria-based forward, his club, LASK FC, told him that he should not travel to Russia.

There was also an administrative problem involving Suleiman Mubarak, who was invited from Czech club Slavia Prague. According to the NFF, Mubarak could not travel because his residence permit had not been secured.

The setbacks have left Nigeria with 18 players in Russia for the friendly, although late invitee Ibraheem Ajasa of FC Rostov was expected to join the team’s camp in Nizhny Novgorod on Sunday evening.

The Super Eagles previously faced Russia in another international friendly in Moscow, where both teams played out a 1-1 draw 16 months ago.

18 Super Eagles in Russia

The NFF listed the following 18 players in the squad:

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 are preparing for Tuesday’s friendly against Russia, with the NFF describing the combination of club restrictions and injuries as a major setback for the team.