Nigeria’s preparations for their upcoming international friendly against Russia have been disrupted by a raft of last-minute withdrawals, with head coach Eric Chelle making several enforced changes to his Super Eagles squad.
The match, scheduled for Friday, 7 June, will be held at Moscow’s storied Luzhniki Stadium – a venue that hosted the 2018 World Cup final – offering a stern test for a Nigerian side in transition.
Injuries, administrative delays and personal withdrawals have all conspired to alter the makeup of Chelle’s squad just days before departure, leaving the manager with fewer attacking options and a reshaped defence.
Nigeria will be without first-choice goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali, who is absent due to a family bereavement. Despite his unavailability, Chelle has opted not to make sweeping changes in goal.
Maduka Okoye, who featured regularly for Udinese in Serie A this season, is expected to start between the sticks. He will be joined by Amas Obasogie of Tanzania’s Singida Black Stars, who retains his spot following positive showings with the home-based Eagles.
Nigeria celebrate winning the Unity Cup during the Unity Cup Final, London 2025 match between Jamaica and Nigeria. Photo Credit: X
Captain William Troost-Ekong will marshal the back line, fresh from leading Nigeria to a runners-up finish at the Africa Cup of Nations earlier this year.
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He will be supported by regulars Bright Osayi-Samuel, Semi Ajayi, and Bruno Onyemaechi. However, Ola Aina has withdrawn due to personal reasons, creating an opportunity for Remo Stars’ Sodiq Ismaila, a promising right-back in the Nigerian Premier Football League.
Joining him is 21-year-old Benjamin Fredericks of Brentford, who impressed during the Unity Cup final against Jamaica and has been touted as one of the brightest defensive prospects in England’s top flight.
Wilfred Ndidi’s injury has opened the door for one of the domestic league’s standout performers: Saviour Isaac of Enugu Rangers. The 22-year-old has been integral to his club and his call-up is a reward for consistently high-level performances in the NPFL.
Samuel Chukwueze celebrates with teammates after scoring a goal during the Unity Cup Final, London 2025 match between Jamaica and Nigeria. Photo Credit: Imago
He will slot into a midfield group that includes Augsburg’s Frank Onyeka, Club Brugge’s Raphael Onyedika, Lazio’s Fisayo Dele-Bashiru, Getafe’s Christantus Uche, and Niger Tornadoes’ versatile playmaker Papa Daniel Mustapha.
Perhaps the biggest disruption comes in the forward line, where Chelle has been forced to make do without four regular attackers.
Samuel Chukwueze and Kelechi Iheanacho have both been excused due to family obligations, while Sadiq Umar is sidelined with injury.
Nathan Tella, meanwhile, is unavailable as he awaits clearance on a renewed UK passport – a frustrating administrative snag that came too late to resolve.
Eric Chelle and Samuel Chukuweze. Photo Credit: X
In their absence, Bayer Leverkusen’s Victor Boniface will lead the attack. He will be flanked by the experienced Moses Simon of Nantes and Genk’s Tolu Arokodare.
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To bolster the line, Chelle has drafted in Olakunle Olusegun, a former Nigeria U20 forward who plays his club football at FC Krasnodar in Russia. The 23-year-old is expected to bring directness and pace, and is one of few players in the squad with first-hand familiarity of Russian football.
The Super Eagles arrived in Moscow on Monday and are scheduled to hold their first training session on Tuesday afternoon.
The fixture is expected to provide Chelle with an opportunity to assess fringe players and integrate promising new talent as the team builds toward upcoming World Cup qualifiers.
Friday’s match at the 78,000-capacity Luzhniki Stadium is the first meeting between Nigeria and Russia at senior level.
