Bright Osayi-Samuel has pulled out of Nigeria’s friendly match against Russia. This adds to the problems facing head coach Éric Chelle in Nizhny Novgorod, according to PUNCH Sports Extra.
He is the third player to leave the Super Eagles' squad before the match on Tuesday, October 6. No reason has been given for his withdrawal.
Osayi-Samuel played in the 3-0 loss to Guinea-Bissau on September 29. That result left Nigeria in second place in Group L with three points. Mama Balde scored the second goal for Guinea-Bissau in the 66th minute, getting past Osayi-Samuel during the match.
Captain Wilfred Ndidi and Basel defender Victory Akpe also dropped out of the squad earlier. Ndidi reportedly got injured during the qualifier in Bissau, while Akpe picked up an injury in training just days before.
Chelle quickly called up Stade Reims midfielder John Otomewo and Tromsø defender Vince Osuji to cover the first two absences. The technical team now needs to find a replacement for Osayi-Samuel to strengthen the defense.
This match is the last of the Super Eagles’ three-game international window. A core group of senior players is still available. Kelechi Iheanacho, Stanley Nwabali, Akor Adams, and stand-in captain Moses Simon have already arrived in the host city to start training. They will face temperatures around eight degrees Celsius.
Osayi-Samuel was also part of the Nigeria squad that went to Moscow for the first match between the teams at the Luzhniki Stadium on June 6, 2025. Russia took the lead in that match in the 27th minute when Semi Ajayi accidentally scored an own goal from Viktor Melekhin’s cross.
Tolu Arokodare, who came on as a substitute, equalized in the 71st minute after taking advantage of a misplaced pass from goalkeeper Matvei Safonov. The game ended in a 1-1 draw.
Tuesday’s rematch gives Nigeria a chance to better that result and bounce back from the loss in Bissau.
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