SIX SUPER EAGLES WITHDRAW FROM RUSSIA FRIENDLY DUE TO INJURIES, PERSONAL REASONS
The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has confirmed that six players have withdrawn from the Super Eagles squad ahead of their international friendly against Russia, scheduled for Friday at Moscow’s 78,000-capacity Luzhniki Stadium.
Among those unavailable are Ola Aina, Wilfred Ndidi, Samuel Chukwueze, Kelechi Iheanacho, Sadiq Umar, and Nathan Tella. The Super Eagles arrived in Moscow on Monday for what will be their third game of the international window, following their Unity Cup triumph in London.
According to the NFF, Aina opted out of the match for personal reasons. In response, head coach Finidi George Chelle has called up defenders Sodiq Ismaila and Benjamin Fredericks, who featured in the recent Unity Cup.
Captain William Troost-Ekong and Bright Osayi-Samuel have also joined the squad in Russia, reinforcing the defensive line alongside Bruno Onyemaechi, Semi Ajayi, and Igoh Ogbu.
In midfield, Wilfred Ndidi’s injury has opened the door for Saviour Isaac of Enugu Rangers, a standout player for the Eagles B team preparing for the African Nations Championship (CHAN) in August. He joins a midfield unit comprising Frank Onyeka, Raphael Onyedika, Fisayo Dele-Bashiru, Christantus Uche, and Papa Daniel Mustapha.
Chukwueze and Iheanacho have been excused to attend to family matters, while Umar has been ruled out with injury. Nathan Tella is also unavailable due to a delay in the renewal of his UK passport.
These absences leave Coach Chelle with a trimmed attacking lineup consisting of Victor Boniface, Moses Simon, and Tolu Arokodare. To bolster the forward line, Russia-based winger and former youth international Olakunle Olusegun of Krasnodar FC has been invited.
The goalkeeping department remains unchanged, as Stanley Nwabali was already exempted from the match to observe the burial rites of his late parents. Maduka Okoye (Italy) and Amas Obasogie (Tanzania) will battle for the starting position in goal.
The Super Eagles are scheduled to begin training in Moscow today (Tuesday) ahead of the high-profile fixture.
