NFF noted that Moses Usor, who scored on his debut in the 2-1 win over Madagascar in Uyo, was stopped from travelling by Austrian club LASK.
By Kehinde Okeowo
The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has confirmed that Super Eagles captain Wilfred Ndidi and six of his teammates will not be available for the friendly encounter against Russia, blaming their absence on injuries, club restrictions, and documentation problems.
The media department of the Nigerian football governing body made this known in a statement issued recently.
According to the NFF, Besiktas midfielder and team leader Ndidi and Basel defender Victory Akpe were ruled out by injury.
While the Super Eagles captain picked up a minor knock in the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Guinea-Bissau last week, the statement noted that “Switzerland-based defender Victory Akpe has been stopped from flying to Russia by injury.”
The NFF added that Super Eagles midfielders Raphael Onyedika and Ridwan Popoola, along with defender Bright Osayi-Samuel, were all withheld by their respective 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 also stopped by their clubs,” the NFF added.
Forward Moses Usor, who scored on his debut in the 2-1 win over Madagascar in Uyo on 25 September, was also prevented from flying to Russia by Austrian club LASK.
Meanwhile, Slavia Prague forward Suleiman Mubarak, who was in contention for his Super Eagles debut, was unable to travel.
”Suleiman Mubarak, invited from Slavia Prague in Czechia, could not travel to Russia because his residence permit has not been secured,” the NFF confirmed.
These withdrawals leave Super Eagles gaffer Éric Chelle with a depleted squad as he tries to bounce back from the 3-0 defeat in Bissau.
Eighteen players trained on Sunday, and Ibrahim Ajasa of Russian club FC Rostov has since arrived as a late invitee, bringing the camp total to 19.
Russia arrive in better form for the encounter billed for the Nizhny Novgorod Stadium, having beaten Iran 2-0 and thrashed Namibia 6-0 in Yekaterinburg on Saturday.
The last time the teams met in Moscow in June 2025, the Eagles forced a 1-1 draw after Tolu Arokodare levelled for Nigeria following an own goal by Semi Ajayi.
