Super Eagles hit by controversial player withdrawals ahead of Russia friendly
Seven withdrawals have left the Super Eagles with just 18 players in Russia as Eric Chelle prepares for Tuesday’s friendly against the hosts.
Nigeria’s preparations for Tuesday’s friendly against Russia have been disrupted by a series of withdrawals, with the Super Eagles arriving in Russia with an 18-man squad.
Captain Wilfred Ndidi is among those unavailable after picking up an injury, while several other players were prevented from making the trip by their respective clubs.
Raphael Onyedika, Bright Osayi-Samuel and Ridwan Popoola were all stopped from travelling by their clubs, further reducing the options available to head coach Eric Chelle.
Victory Akpe also withdrew because of injury, while Moses Usor was unable to join the squad after LASK rejected a late request for his release.
Suleiman Mubarak is another absentee, as he could not travel because he does not yet have the required resident permit.
The withdrawals have left Nigeria with only 18 players in Russia for the international friendly, forcing Chelle to work with a considerably smaller group than originally expected.
18 Super Eagles in Russia
The squad includes three goalkeepers, five defenders, four midfielders and six forwards.
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).
Despite the depleted squad, the Russia fixture offers Chelle another opportunity to assess players ahead of Nigeria’s upcoming competitive commitments.
The absence of several established names, particularly Ndidi, Onyedika and Osayi-Samuel, could also give some of the less experienced members of the squad a chance to make a stronger impression.
For Nigeria, however, the immediate challenge is clear: navigate an unusually disrupted international window and produce a positive result against Russia with only 18 players available.
