The Nigeria Football Federation has explained the absence of captain Wilfred Ndidi, Raphael Onyedika and five other players from the Super Eagles squad for Tuesday’s friendly against Russia.
The NFF attributed the withdrawals to injuries, club restrictions and a documentation issue as coach Éric Chelle prepares his depleted side for the encounter in Russia.
According to the federation’s Media Department, Ndidi and Basel defender Victory Akpe were ruled out because of injuries.
Ndidi suffered a minor knock during Nigeria’s 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying defeat to Guinea-Bissau last week, while Akpe was also unable to make the trip.
“Switzerland-based defender Victory Akpe has been stopped from flying to Russia by injury,” the NFF said.
Three other players were prevented from travelling by their respective clubs.
“Midfielder Raphael Onyedika was stopped from travelling to Russia by his German club, Eintracht Frankfurt. Defender Bright Osayi-Samuel and UAE-based midfielder Ridwan Abdulrasaq Popoola were stopped by their clubs,” the NFF said.
LASK forward Moses Usor was another late withdrawal after his Austrian club blocked his proposed trip to Russia.
Usor, who scored on his Super Eagles debut in the 2-1 victory over Madagascar in Uyo on September 25, was not initially included in the travelling squad. However, Chelle later requested his services for the friendly.
Slavia Prague forward Suleiman Mubarak, who was hoping to make his Nigeria debut, also missed the trip because of an unresolved residence permit.
“Suleiman Mubarak, invited from Slavia Prague in Czechia, could not travel to Russia because his residence permit has not been secured,” the NFF said.
The withdrawals have left Chelle with fewer options ahead of the meeting with Russia, coming after Nigeria suffered a 3-0 defeat to Guinea-Bissau in their latest AFCON qualifier.
Eighteen players trained on Sunday before Ibrahim Ajasa of Russian side FC Rostov joined the camp as a late invitee, taking the number of players available to 19.
The Super Eagles held their final training session at 7.30pm local time on Monday at the Nizhny Novgorod Stadium.
Russia head into the encounter in stronger form, having defeated Iran 2-0 before thrashing Namibia 6-0 in Yekaterinburg on Saturday.
Nigeria will be hoping for an improved result after the two countries played a 1-1 draw in Moscow in June 2025.
Russia took the lead through Semi Ajayi’s own goal in that encounter before Tolu Arokodare equalised for the Super Eagles.
