The Nigeria Football Federation said injuries, club restrictions and a documentation issue had weakened the squad ahead of the encounter in Nizhny Novgorod. Captain Wilfred Ndidi and defender Victory Akpe were ruled out through injury, while Raphael Onyedika, Bright Osayi-Samuel and Ridwan Abdulrasaq Popoola were prevented from travelling by their clubs. Moses Usor was also denied release by Austrian club LASK, while Suleiman Mubarak could not secure the residence permit required for his trip to Russia.
The withdrawals initially left head coach Éric Chelle with 18 players in Russia. However, late call-up Ibrahim Ajasa of FC Rostov subsequently joined the squad, taking the number of available players to 19.
The 19 available players are:
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
- Ibrahim Ajasa — FC Rostov, Russia
Nigeria will face Russia at the Nizhny Novgorod Stadium on Tuesday. The Super Eagles are seeking a positive result after their 3-0 defeat to Guinea-Bissau in their latest 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier.
Nigeria and Russia last met in June 2025, when the two teams played a 1-1 draw in Moscow.
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Nigeria will have 19 players available for Tuesday’s friendly against Russia after seven players withdrew from the squad due to injuries, club restrictions and travel-document issues. The Super Eagles will have 19 players available for Tuesday’s international friendly against Russia after seven players withdrew from the squad for various reasons.The Nigeria Football Federation said injuries, club restrictions and...
Key takeaways
- Nigeria will have 19 players available for Tuesday’s friendly against Russia after seven players withdrew from the squad due to injuries, club restrictions and travel-document issues.
- The Super Eagles will have 19 players available for Tuesday’s international friendly against Russia after seven players withdrew from the squad for various reasons.The Nigeria Football Federation said injuries, club restrictions and a documentation issue had weakened the squad ahead of the encounter in Nizhny Novgorod.
- Captain Wilfred Ndidi and defender Victory Akpe were ruled out through injury, while Raphael Onyedika, Bright Osayi-Samuel and Ridwan Abdulrasaq Popoola were prevented from travelling by their clubs.
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Nigeria will have 19 players available for Tuesday’s friendly against Russia after seven players withdrew from the squad due to injuries, club restrictions and travel-document issues. The Super Eagles will have 19 players available for Tuesday’s international friendly against Russia after seven players withdrew from the squad for various reasons.The Nigeria Football Federation said injuries, club restrictions and...
Who published this story?
Glow 99.1 FM published this story with GlowRy Atuah listed as author.
When was it published?
October 6, 2026
