RismadarVoice Reporters
October 6, 2026
Nigeria will have 19 players available for Tuesday’s international friendly against Russia after seven members of the Super Eagles squad withdrew because of injuries, club restrictions and documentation issues.
Captain Wilfred Ndidi and defender Victory Akpe were ruled out through injury, while Raphael Onyedika, Bright Osayi-Samuel and Ridwan Abdulrasaq were prevented from travelling by their respective clubs.
Moses Usor, who was called up after scoring on his Super Eagles debut against Madagascar, was also unable to join the squad after Austrian club LASK declined to release him.
Suleiman Mubarak missed the trip because of an unresolved residence permit required for his travel to Russia.
The withdrawals initially left head coach Éric Chelle with 18 players before late invitee Ibrahim Ajasa of Russian club FC Rostov joined the squad in Nizhny Novgorod, increasing the number to 19.
The Super Eagles completed their final training session at the Nizhny Novgorod Stadium on Monday evening ahead of Tuesday’s encounter.
AVAILABLE PLAYERS
Goalkeepers: Michael Atata, Samuel James, Stanley Nwabali.
Defenders: Kenneth Igboke, Isaac James, Benjamin Fredricks, Emmanuel Fernandez, Abdullahi Bewene.
Midfielders: Chibuzo Nwoko, Stephen Michael, Igor Wilfred, Aderemi Adeoye.
Forwards: Kelechi Iheanacho, Moses Simon, Akor Adams, Peter Edokpolor, Abubakar Umar, Abdullahi Umar, Ibrahim Ajasa.
Nigeria head into the friendly seeking a response after suffering a 3-0 defeat to Guinea-Bissau in their latest 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier.
The Super Eagles had earlier defeated Madagascar 2-1 in Uyo before the loss in Bissau.
Russia, meanwhile, enter the encounter after victories over Iran and Namibia during the international window.
Tuesday’s match will be the second meeting between Nigeria and Russia in 16 months. Their previous encounter ended 1-1 at the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow in June 2025.
The match at the Nizhny Novgorod Stadium is scheduled to kick off at 5 p.m. Nigerian time.
