Nigeria’s Super Eagles will face Russia with a heavily depleted squad after seven players withdrew from the international friendly scheduled for Tuesday, October 6, in Nizhny Novgorod.
Captain Wilfred Ndidi is the biggest name among the absentees, while Raphael Onyedika, Bright Osayi-Samuel, Ridwan Abdulrasaq Popoola, Victory Akpe, Moses Usor and Suleiman Mubarak will also miss the game.
The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) confirmed that the withdrawals were caused by a mixture of injuries, club restrictions and a travel-document issue, leaving Eric Chelle with 18 players currently available in Russia.
Wilfred Ndidi – Injury
Super Eagles captain Wilfred Ndidi will not feature after suffering a minor knock during Nigeria’s 3-0 defeat to Guinea-Bissau in the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier last week.
The Besiktas midfielder was originally expected to lead the team against Russia, but the injury forced him out of the friendly.
His absence removes an experienced leader from a squad that is already short on established players.
Raphael Onyedika – Club Restriction
Raphael Onyedika is another key midfielder who will not travel to Russia.
His German club, Eintracht Frankfurt, prevented him from joining the Super Eagles for the friendly. The decision further reduces Chelle’s options in midfield.
Bright Osayi-Samuel – Club Restriction
Bright Osayi-Samuel has also been kept out of the fixture by his club, Birmingham City.
The defender had featured in Nigeria’s recent AFCON qualifiers against Madagascar and Guinea-Bissau but will now miss the Russia assignment because of the club’s decision.
Ridwan Abdulrasaq Popoola – Club Restriction
UAE-based midfielder Ridwan Abdulrasaq Popoola is another player unavailable to Chelle.
His club, Al-Wasl, stopped him from travelling to Russia for the friendly.
Victory Akpe – Injury
Switzerland-based defender Victory Akpe was ruled out because of injury.
The Basel defender was among the new faces originally invited by Chelle for the friendly, but his withdrawal means he will have to wait longer for his opportunity with the senior national team.
Vince Osuji was called up as a replacement for Akpe, while John Otomewo was brought in after Ndidi’s withdrawal.
Moses Usor – Club Refusal
Moses Usor’s absence is another disappointment for the Super Eagles.
The LASK forward was not initially included in the Russia squad, but Chelle requested him after the withdrawals began. Usor had scored on his Nigeria debut in the 2-1 victory over Madagascar in Uyo.
However, Austrian club LASK did not release him for the trip, with the forward instead expected to return to club duty.
Suleiman Mubarak – Residence Permit
Suleiman Mubarak will also miss the match because he could not secure the required residence permit for the trip to Russia.
The Slavia Prague midfielder had been in line for his Super Eagles debut but will now have to wait for another opportunity.
The withdrawals have reduced Nigeria’s available squad to 18 players ahead of the friendly.
The group currently in Russia consists of three goalkeepers, five defenders, four midfielders and six forwards.
Goalkeepers: Michael Atata, Samuel James, Stanley Nwabali.
Defenders: Kenneth Igboke, Isaac James, Benjamin Fredricks, Emmanuel Fernandez, Abdullahi Bewene.
Midfielders: Chibuzo Nwoke, Stephen Michael, Igor Wilfred, Aderemi Adeoye.
Forwards: Kelechi Iheanacho, Moses Simon, Akor Adams, Peter Edokpolor, Abubakar Umar, Abdullahi Umar.
The NFF also said Ibraheem Ajasa of Russian club FC Rostov was expected to join the camp as a late invitee.
The depleted squad changes the nature of the Russia friendly for Chelle.
The coach had initially selected a 24-man group that included several players receiving their first senior invitation. The aim was to assess new options while continuing to build towards future competitive fixtures.
With seven players now unavailable, some of those new faces are likely to take on greater responsibility.
Players such as Isaac James, Benjamin Fredricks, Chibuzo Nwoke, Stephen Michael and Peter Edokpolor could benefit from the situation as Chelle searches for solutions.
The friendly also comes after Nigeria’s disappointing 3-0 defeat to Guinea-Bissau in Bissau. That result followed a 2-1 victory over Madagascar in Uyo, leaving the Super Eagles with three points from their opening two AFCON 2027 qualifying matches.
Tuesday’s encounter will be the second meeting between Nigeria and Russia in just over a year.
The two countries drew 1-1 in Moscow in June 2025. Russia took the lead through a Semi Ajayi own goal before Tolu Arokodare equalised for Nigeria.
This time, Chelle will have to work with a very different squad.
For the Super Eagles, the result will be important for confidence after the defeat in Guinea-Bissau, but the game also offers the coach an opportunity to examine the depth of his squad.
With Ndidi, Onyedika, Osayi-Samuel, Popoola, Akpe, Usor and Mubarak all unavailable, Nigeria’s younger and less experienced players now have a bigger stage on which to make an impression.
The Russia friendly is therefore no longer simply another international test. It has become an unexpected examination of how well the Super Eagles can cope when several established and newly invited players are missing at the same time.
