Super Eagles Face Russia Without Key Players Amidst Withdrawals

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has confirmed several changes to the Super Eagles squad for Friday’s international friendly against Russia in Moscow due to injuries and player withdrawals.

Six key players — Ola Aina, Wilfred Ndidi, Samuel Chukwueze, Kelechi Iheanacho, Sadiq Umar, and Nathan Tella — have all pulled out for various reasons. Their absence comes as the team arrived in Moscow on Monday, following their victory in the Unity Cup in London.

According to the NFF, Aina opted out of the trip, prompting Coach Finidi George Chelle to call up Unity Cup standouts Sodiq Ismaila and Benjamin Fredericks as replacements.

Captain William Troost-Ekong is available and joins Bright Osayi-Samuel, Bruno Onyemaechi, Semi Ajayi, and Igoh Ogbu to complete the defensive lineup.

In midfield, Enugu Rangers’ Saviour Isaac has been drafted in to replace the injured Ndidi. He joins Frank Onyeka, Raphael Onyedika, Fisayo Dele-Bashiru, Christantus Uche, and Papa Daniel Mustapha in the fight for a starting role.

Chukwueze and Iheanacho withdrew to attend to family matters, while Umar is injured and Tella is unavailable due to passport renewal issues in the UK.

These withdrawals leave the Super Eagles with just three attackers: Victor Boniface, Simon Moses, and Tolu Arokodare. Coach Chelle has added Russia-based former U-20 star Olakunle Olusegun, who plays for Krasnodar FC, to strengthen the forward line.

In goal, first-choice Stanley Nwabali is absent due to upcoming burial rites for his parents. Maduka Okoye and Amas Obasogie will compete for the starting goalkeeper position.

The squad is scheduled to begin training today (Tuesday), with the match to be played at the 78,000-capacity Luzhniki Stadium — the largest in Russia and one of Europe’s top ten.