The Super Eagles camp has been reduced to 18 players ahead of Tuesday’s international friendly against Russia, following injuries and club refusals.
Captain Wilfred Ndidi is out with a knock picked up in last week’s 2027 AFCON qualifier against Guinea-Bissau, while Raphael Onyedika, Bright Osayi-Samuel and Ridwan Popoola were not released by their clubs.
Switzerland-based defender Victory Akpe is also ruled out through injury.
Head coach Éric Chelle handed a late call-up to Austria-based Moses Usor, who scored on his debut against Madagascar on September 25, but his club LASK FC blocked the invitation. Suleiman Mubarak of Slavia Prague also failed to travel due to residency permit issues.
Late invitee Ibraheem Ajasa of FC Rostov was expected to join the camp in Nizhny Novgorod on Sunday evening.
The development leaves Nigeria short-handed for the clash with Russia, 16 months after both sides played a 1-1 draw at the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow.
Russia, meanwhile, have sent a strong warning to the Super Eagles after thrashing Namibia 6-0 on Saturday at the Ekaterinburg Arena.
Lechi Sadulaev opened the scoring in the 37th minute, before Danil Prutsev (54′), Konstantin Tyukavin (65′), Maksim Glushenkov (84′), Maksim Petrov (pen 87′) and an own-goal by Namibian keeper Kamaijanda Ndisiro (90+2′) completed the rout. Russia had 24 shots, 14 on target — Namibia had zero on target.
It was a statement win for Russia, who have only played friendlies since their FIFA ban in 2022. The Russians have now won their last four games, scoring 14 goals. Their last defeat was a 1-0 loss to Egypt on May 28, 2026.
Nigeria face Russia on Tuesday, October 6, at the 44,000-capacity Nizhny Novgorod Stadium.
*18 Eagles in Camp:*
*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 (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 (Benfica, Portugal), Abubakar Umar (Famalicao, Portugal), Abdullahi Umar (Hradec Kralove, Czechia)
