Injuries, Club Restrictions Rock Super Eagles Camp Ahead of Russia Friendly

The Super Eagles will face Russia in an international friendly today with head coach Éric Chelle forced to work with a depleted squad following a series of injuries, club restrictions and travel documentation problems.

Captain Wilfred Ndidi is among the major absentees after sustaining a minor knock during Nigeria’s 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying match against Guinea-Bissau last week.

Switzerland-based defender Victory Akpe has also been ruled out through injury, further reducing Chelle’s options ahead of the encounter in Nizhny Novgorod.

Several other players were prevented from joining the squad by their clubs. Eintracht Frankfurt stopped midfielder Raphael Onyedika from travelling to Russia, while Birmingham City defender Bright Osayi-Samuel and UAE-based midfielder Ridwan Abdulrasaq Popoola were also unavailable after their clubs declined to release them.

Austria-based forward Moses Usor, who scored on his Super Eagles debut against Madagascar in September, was another late withdrawal. Chelle requested the player after the original squad was announced, but his club, LASK, did not approve his travel.

There was also a documentation problem for Suleiman Mubarak of Slavia Prague, who could not join the team because his Czech residence permit had not been secured.

The setbacks initially left only 18 Super Eagles players in Russia for the friendly, although FC Rostov forward Ibraheem Ajasa was later expected to join the camp as a late invitee.

Despite the weakened squad, Chelle has the opportunity to assess several less experienced players as Nigeria seek a positive response after their 3-0 defeat to Guinea-Bissau in the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.

Nigeria and Russia previously met in June 2025, playing out a 1-1 draw at Moscow’s Luzhniki Stadium. Tolu Arokodare scored Nigeria’s equaliser after Semi Ajayi’s own goal had given Russia the lead.

The latest meeting is scheduled for the Nizhny Novgorod Stadium, where the Super Eagles will hope to overcome their absences and produce a stronger performance against a Russian side that recently defeated Iran 2-0 and Namibia 6-0.