Full list: Seven Super Eagles players to miss Russia friendly

The Super Eagles will be without seven invited players when they face Russia in Tuesday’s international friendly at the Nizhny Novgorod Stadium.

Captain Wilfred Ndidi, Raphael Onyedika, Bright Osayi-Samuel, Ridwan Abdulrasaq Popoola, Victory Akpe, Moses Usor and Suleiman Mubarak have all been ruled out of the encounter.

The Nigeria Football Federation said injuries, club restrictions and a travel-documentation problem were responsible for the withdrawals.

Seven Super Eagles players unavailable against Russia

1. Wilfred Ndidi

The Super Eagles captain suffered a minor knock during Nigeria’s 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Guinea-Bissau and has been ruled out through injury.

2. Raphael Onyedika

The midfielder was prevented from travelling by his German club, Eintracht Frankfurt.

3. Bright Osayi-Samuel

Osayi-Samuel was also withheld by his club and will not feature in the friendly.

4. Ridwan Abdulrasaq Popoola

The UAE-based midfielder was prevented from travelling by his club.

5. Victory Akpe

The Switzerland-based defender was ruled out through injury.

6. Moses Usor

Usor was not originally included in the travelling squad, but Eric Chelle later requested his presence.

His Austrian club LASK subsequently told him not to travel to Russia.

7. Suleiman Mubarak

The Slavia Prague player could not make the trip because his residence permit had not been secured.

Nigeria squad reduced ahead of Russia clash

The withdrawals initially left Chelle with 18 players in camp.

FC Rostov player Ibraheem Ajasa subsequently joined as a late invitee, taking the available group to 19 players in the latest update.

Nigeria face Russia today, October 6, at the Nizhny Novgorod Stadium.

The teams last met in June 2025, when they played out a 1-1 draw in Moscow.

Nigeria enter the friendly looking to respond after their 3-0 AFCON qualifying defeat to Guinea-Bissau.