The Super Eagles of Nigeria have landed in Moscow for their high-profile international friendly against Russia, but not without a flurry of last-minute changes that have reshaped Coach Eric Chelle’s squad ahead of the clash scheduled for Friday at the Luzhniki Stadium.
According to the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), a combination of injuries and personal withdrawals has ruled out six key players from the initial list.
Defender Ola Aina opted out of the trip, while midfield general Wilfred Ndidi, forwards Samuel Chukwueze, Kelechi Iheanacho, and Sadiq Umar, as well as winger Nathan Tella, are also unavailable.
Their absences have forced Chelle into emergency adjustments, with Unity Cup revelations Sodiq Ismaila and Benjamin Fredericks earning late call-ups to bolster the squad.
Captain William Troost-Ekong leads a reshaped backline that includes Bright Osayi-Samuel and Unity Cup trio Bruno Onyemaechi, Semi Ajayi, and Igoh Ogbu. The reinforcement ensures some stability in the defence despite Aina’s withdrawal.
In midfield, Ndidi’s injury opens the door for local league standout Saviour Isaac of Enugu Rangers. Isaac, a prominent figure in the Eagles B team preparing for the African Nations Championship, joins Frank Onyeka, Raphael Onyedika, Fisayo Dele-Bashiru, Christantus Uche, and Papa Daniel Mustapha in a competitive midfield pool.
The attacking department is notably thinned, with Chukwueze and Iheanacho stepping aside due to family obligations, Umar ruled out through injury, and Tella grounded by an ongoing UK passport renewal. As a result, only Victor Boniface, Simon Moses, and Tolu Arokodare remain from the original frontline.
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To plug the gap, Chelle has turned to Russian Premier League winger Olakunle Olusegun, who plies his trade with Krasnodar. The former Golden Eaglets star joins up with the team as they look to maintain momentum from their Unity Cup success in London.
There is no disruption between the sticks, as first-choice goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali was already exempted due to his parents’ burial rites. Maduka Okoye and Amas Obasogie will compete for the starting spot.
The Eagles touched down in Moscow on Monday and will hold their first training session today. The friendly will be staged at the iconic 78,000-seater Luzhniki Stadium, the largest in Russia and among the biggest in Europe.
The match marks Nigeria’s third outing of the current international window and presents another opportunity for Coach Chelle to assess squad depth and test fringe players under pressure.
As the Super Eagles continue to build toward major competitions ahead, all eyes will be on how this restructured lineup performs on Russian soil.