Super Eagles manager Eric Chelle will have 19 players available for selection for the international friendly match against Russia. The match will take place at the 44,899-capacity Sovcombank Arena in Nizhny Novgorod, with kick-off set for 5 p.m.

Withdrawals from key Super Eagles players, including captain Wilfred Ndidi and Victory Akpe, due to injuries, club restrictions, among other factors, have bedeviled the team’s preaprations for the match. The Nigeria Football Federation confirmed the situation in a statement on Sunday.

“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.”

Wilfred Ndidi and Victory Akpe pulled out of the match due to injuries, while Ridwan Abdulrasaq Popoola, Raphael Onyedika and Bright Osayi-Samuel were blocked by their respective club sides.

Suleiman Muburak of Slavia Prague couldn’t join the team as he couldn’t sort the residence permit needed for his Russia trip.

Moses Usor, who marked his debut with a goal in the Super Eagles’2-1 win over Madagascar in the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier, will also be unavailable as his club, LASK, denied a late request to have him join the team.

The mass withdrawals left Eric Chelle with 18 players, but the late invitation to 20-year-old FC Rostov forward Ibrahim Ajasa increased the number to 19.

Tuesday’s meeting will be the second between Nigeria and Russia. The firdt ended in a 1-1 draw at the Luzhniki Stadium in June 2025.

Full list of 19 players

Goalkeepers

Samuel James — SJK FC, Finland
Stanley Nwabali — Chippa United, South Africa
Michael Atata — Ikorodu City
Defenders
Isaac James — Alverca FC, Portugal
Benjamin Fredricks — Brentford FC, England
Kenneth Igboke — Enugu Rangers
Abdullahi Bewene — FC Banik Ostrava, Czechia
Emmanuel Fernandez — Glasgow Rangers, Scotland

Midfielders

Stephen Michael — Vendsyssel FF, Denmark
Chibuzo Nwoke — Fulham FC, England
Aderemi Adeoye — Ikorodu City
Igor Wilfred — Kristiansund FC, Norway

Forwards

Peter Edokpolor — SL Benfica, Portugal
Kelechi Iheanacho — Bursaspor FC, Turkey
Abubakar Umar — FC Famalicao, Portugal
Akor Adams — Venezia FC, Italy
Ibrahim Ajasa — FC Rostov, Russia
Abdullahi Umar — Hradec Kralove, Czechia
Moses Simon — Paris FC, France

Semi Ajayi’s own goal in the first half gave Russia the lead in the 37th minute, while Tolu Arokodare scored the equalizer in the 71st to even the scoreline.

Eric Chelle will hope for a better outing against Russia following the disappointing 3-0 loss to Guinea-Bissau in the AFCON qualifier. By Ayomide John