Why Ndidi, Onyedika, others withdrew from friendly squad – NFF

Wilfred Ndidi. Photo: NFF

The Nigeria Football Federation has explained why captain Wilfred Ndidi, midfielder Raphael Onyedika and five other players withdrew from the Super Eagles’ friendly against Russia, blaming injuries, club restrictions and a documentation problem.

In a statement by its Media Department, the NFF said Ndidi and Basel defender Victory Akpe were ruled out by injury.

Ndidi picked up a minor knock in the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Guinea-Bissau last week. “Switzerland-based defender Victory Akpe has been stopped from flying to Russia by injury,” the statement said.

Three players were stopped by their 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.

Forward Moses Usor was also lost. He scored on his debut in the 2-1 win over Madagascar in Uyo on September 25 and was not in the original travelling list. Head coach Éric Chelle requested him later, but Austrian club LASK told him not to fly to Russia.

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Slavia Prague forward Suleiman Mubarak, who was in contention for his Super Eagles debut, could not travel.

“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 leave Chelle with a depleted squad as he tries to bounce back from the 3-0 defeat in Bissau. 18 players trained on Sunday, and Ibrahim Ajasa of Russian club FC Rostov has since arrived as a late invitee, taking the camp to 19.

The final training session was held at 7.30pm local time on Monday at the Nizhny Novgorod Stadium.

Russia arrive in better form. They beat Iran 2-0 and then thrashed Namibia 6-0 in Yekaterinburg on Saturday.

The Super Eagles are looking for a better result than the 1-1 draw in Moscow in June 2025, when Semi Ajayi’s own goal put the Russians ahead before Tolu Arokodare levelled.