Reasons Ndidi, Onyedika and Others Miss Friendly Match, NFF

The Nigeria Football Federation has shared why captain Wilfred Ndidi, midfielder Raphael Onyedika, and five other players are no longer part of the Super Eagles’ friendly match against Russia. They cited injuries, club restrictions, and a problem with documentation as the reasons for their withdrawal.

In a statement from its Media Department, the NFF said that Ndidi and Basel defender Victory Akpe could not play due to injuries. Ndidi got a small injury during the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Guinea-Bissau last week. The statement said, “Switzerland-based defender Victory Akpe has been stopped from flying to Russia by injury.”

Three players had to withdraw because of their clubs. The NFF stated, “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.”

Forward Moses Usor also missed out. He scored on his debut in the 2-1 win over Madagascar in Uyo on September 25 and was not part of the original travel list. Head coach Éric Chelle later requested him, but his Austrian club LASK told him not to go to Russia.

Slavia Prague forward Suleiman Mubarak, who was hoping for his first Super Eagles appearance, also could not make it. The NFF said, “Suleiman Mubarak, invited from Slavia Prague in Czechia, could not travel to Russia because his residence permit has not been secured.”

These withdrawals leave coach Chelle with a smaller squad as he looks to recover from the 3-0 loss in Bissau. On Sunday, 18 players trained, and Ibrahim Ajasa from Russian club FC Rostov has now joined as a late addition, bringing the squad to 19.

The final training session took place at 7.30pm local time on Monday at the Nizhny Novgorod Stadium.

Russia comes into the match in better shape. They recently beat Iran 2-0 and crushed Namibia 6-0 in Yekaterinburg on Saturday.

The Super Eagles hope for a better result than the 1-1 draw in Moscow in June 2025. In that match, Semi Ajayi’s own goal gave the Russians the lead before Tolu Arokodare equalized.