Nigeria vs Russia: List of invited Super Eagles players unavailable for friendly

The Super Eagles will be without seven players for Tuesday’s international friendly against Russia after injuries, club restrictions and a residence permit issue affected the squad.

Captain Wilfred Ndidi is among the players ruled out, while several others were prevented from travelling by their clubs.

The withdrawals have reduced Éric Chelle’s available squad to 18 players in Russia ahead of the encounter at the Nizhny Novgorod Stadium.

7 Super Eagles players unavailable

1. Wilfred Ndidi
2. Raphael Onyedika
3. Bright Osayi-Samuel
4. Ridwan Abdulrasaq Popoola
5. Victory Akpe
6. Moses Usor
7. Suleiman Mubarak

The Super Eagles will face Russia on Tuesday, October 6, in their second meeting in 16 months. The two sides played a 1-1 draw in Moscow in June 2025.

18 Super Eagles players in Russia

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