Russia vs Nigeria: Seven Withdrawals Leave Super Eagles Facing Major Test of Depth
Nigeria’s Super Eagles will face Russia on Tuesday with a significantly depleted squad after seven players became unavailable for the international friendly in Nizhny Novgorod.
The withdrawals, caused by a combination of injuries, club restrictions and travel documentation issues, have left head coach Éric Chelle with only 18 players initially in camp, forcing him to test the depth of his squad after last week’s disappointing 3-0 defeat to Guinea-Bissau in the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.
Captain Wilfred Ndidi is ruled out after sustaining a knock during the Guinea-Bissau encounter, while Switzerland-based defender Victory Akpe is also unavailable because of injury.
Club restrictions have further complicated Chelle’s preparations. Eintracht Frankfurt prevented midfielder Raphael Onyedika from travelling to Russia, while Bright Osayi-Samuel and UAE-based midfielder Ridwan Abdulrasaq Popoola were similarly withheld by their respective clubs.
Moses Usor, who scored on his Super Eagles debut against Madagascar in Uyo on September 25, was not originally included in the travelling squad. However, after Chelle made a late request for the LASK forward, the Austrian club declined to release him.
Suleiman Mubarak’s absence is for a different reason, with the Slavia Prague midfielder unable to travel after failing to secure his Czech Republic residence permit in time.
The NFF has moved to reinforce the depleted squad, with John Otomewo and Vince Osuji brought in following the withdrawals of Ndidi and Akpe. Late invitee Ibraheem Ajasa of FC Rostov was also expected to join the camp in Russia.
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).
The circumstances have transformed Tuesday’s fixture from a routine friendly into a significant examination of Nigeria’s squad depth.
Russia arrive with momentum after a 6-0 demolition of Namibia in their previous friendly, while Nigeria must rebuild combinations quickly with several established options unavailable.
The Super Eagles can, however, draw on the experience of players such as Moses Simon, Kelechi Iheanacho and Stanley Nwabali, alongside the attacking threat of Akor Adams.
Nigeria also have recent history with the hosts, having held Russia to a 1-1 draw in Moscow’s Luzhniki Stadium 16 months ago.
For Chelle, the immediate objective will extend beyond the result. The Russia clash offers an opportunity to assess alternative options, strengthen the squad’s competitive depth and restore confidence following the Guinea-Bissau setback.
With several regulars absent, the players given an opportunity in Russia must now demonstrate that Nigeria have sufficient quality beyond the first-choice group.
