The Super Eagles will have 19 players available for Tuesday’s international friendly against Russia after seven players withdrew from the squad for various reasons.

“Refusal by some Clubs to release their players, coupled with injuries to notable names, have seriously weakened Nigeria’s Super Eagles squad ahead of Tuesday’s international friendly match against Russia’s senior men national team,” the Nigeria Football Federation has said in a statement on Sunday.

Captain Wilfred Ndidi, Raphael Onyedika, Bright Osayi-Samuel, Ridwan Abdulrasaq Popoola, Victory Akpe, Moses Usor and Suleiman Mubarak are unavailable for the encounter.

The NFF said Ndidi and Akpe were ruled out through injuries, while Onyedika, Osayi-Samuel and Popoola were stopped from travelling by their respective clubs.

Usor, who was called up after scoring on his Nigeria debut against Madagascar, was also prevented from travelling by Austrian club LASK.

Mubarak, meanwhile, could not secure the residence permit required for his trip to Russia.

The withdrawals initially left head coach Éric Chelle with 18 players in Russia, but late invitee Ibrahim Ajasa of Russian club FC Rostov subsequently joined the camp, taking the number to 19.

The Super Eagles held their final training session at the Nizhny Novgorod Stadium on Monday evening ahead of the friendly.

Full list of 19 players available

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
• Ibrahim Ajasa — FC Rostov, Russia

Nigeria will face Russia at the Nizhny Novgorod Stadium on Tuesday, with the Super Eagles seeking a better result after their 3-0 defeat to Guinea-Bissau in their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier last week.

The two sides last met in June 2025, when they played out a 1-1 draw at Moscow’s Luzhniki Stadium.

Source: punchng.com

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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.

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.

Source: punchng.com

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Man City and Norway forward Erling Haaland is an injury concern for Manchester City ahead of their Premier League clash with Liverpool after the striker limped off during Norway’s 2-1 Nations League defeat by Portugal.

As reported by BBC Sport on Sunday, Haaland signalled to the bench and was substituted in the 67th minute, with Jørgen Strand Larsen coming on in his place. The nature and severity of the injury are yet to be confirmed.

The setback comes at an important time for City, who travel to Liverpool on Sunday.

Haaland has scored seven goals so far this season and will be a major concern for manager Enzo Maresca if he is unable to recover in time.

Haaland had earlier gone close for Norway, dragging an effort wide, but could not help his side avoid a third consecutive Nations League defeat.

Norway took the lead in the 36th minute when Brentford defender Kristoffer Ajer controlled Martin Ødegaard’s cross on his chest before firing a superb half-volley into the top corner.

Portugal responded almost immediately, with João Cancelo smashing a shot into the net from the edge of the box two minutes later.

Gonçalo Ramos then completed the comeback with 11 minutes remaining, stabbing home from close range following a lay-off from João Félix.

Portugal finished the match with 10 men after Francisco Conceição was sent off in the 87th minute for two quick bookings for dissent.

The victory secured Portugal’s place in the Nations League quarter-finals, while Norway remain bottom of the group with two matches left.

Manchester City will now await further updates on Haaland’s condition before Sunday’s meeting with Liverpool.

Source: punchng.com

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