The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has announced the withdrawal of six key players from the Super Eagles squad ahead of their highly anticipated international friendly match against Russia on June 6, 2025. The friendly match, scheduled to take place at the Luzhniki Stadium, will be a crucial test for the Super Eagles as they prepare for future competitions.
The withdrawn players include Samuel Chukwueze and Kelechi Iheanacho, who cited personal reasons for their absence. Meanwhile, Wilfred Ndidi and Sadiq Umar are out due to injuries, and Nathan Tella will miss the game due to a passport renewal process in the United Kingdom. Nottingham Forest star Ola Aina has also excused himself from the game.
To replace the withdrawn players, Super Eagles coach Eric Chelle has called up four new players to the squad. They include Sodiq Ismaila, Brentford prodigy Benjamin Frederick, Enugu Rangers midfielder Saviour Isaac, and Olakunle Olusegun. These players are expected to bring fresh dynamics to the team and help the Super Eagles achieve a positive result against Russia.
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The Super Eagles recently participated in the Unity Cup, where they emerged victorious against Jamaica in the final. The team’s performance in the tournament will likely serve as a benchmark for their upcoming friendly match against Russia.
The revised squad for the Russia fixture includes goalkeepers Maduka Okoye and Amas Obasogie; defenders William Ekong, Bright Osayi-Samuel, Bruno Onyemaechi, Oluwasemilogo Ajayi, Igoh Ogbu, Sodiq Ismaila, and Benjamin Frederick; midfielders Frank Onyeka, Raphael Onyedika, Fisayo Dele-Bashiru, Chrisantus Uche, Papa Daniel Mustapha, and Saviour Isaac; and forwards Victor Boniface, Simon Moses, Tolu Arokodare, and Olakunle Olusegun.
The Super Eagles will be looking to make a strong impression against Russia, and the new inclusions in the squad are expected to play a crucial role in determining the outcome of the match. With the team’s recent performance in the Unity Cup and the fresh dynamics brought by the new players, the Super Eagles will be confident of securing a positive result.
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The Super Eagles prepare to take on Russia and fans and pundits alike will be watching closely to see how the team performs with the new inclusions. A positive result against Russia could boost the team’s morale and set them up for future successes.
Super Eagles Squad against Russia:
Goalkeepers: Maduka Okoye (Udinese FC, Italy); Amas Obasogie (Singida Blackstars, Tanzania)
Super Eagles squad against Russia
Defenders: William Ekong (Al-Kholood FC, Saudi Arabia); Bright Osayi-Samuel (Fenerbahce SK, Turkey); Bruno Onyemaechi (Olympiacos FC, Greece); Oluwasemilogo Ajayi (West Bromwich Albion, England); Igoh Ogbu (SK Slavia Prague, Czech Republic); Sodiq Ismaila (Remo Stars); Benjamin Frederick (Brentford FC, England).
Midfielders: Frank Onyeka (Augsburg FC, Germany); Raphael Onyedika (Club Brugge, Belgium); Fisayo Dele-Bashiru (Lazio FC, Italy); Chrisantus Uche (Getafe CF, Spain); Papa Daniel Mustapha (Niger Tornadoes); Saviour Isaac (Enugu Rangers).
Forwards: Victor Boniface (Bayer Leverkusen, Germany); Simon Moses (FC Nantes, France); Tolu Arokodare (KRC Genk, Belgium); Olakunle Olusegun (Krasnodar FC, Russia).
