Why Ndidi, Onyedika, five others withdrew from Super Eagles squad – NFF
by Moronfolu Adeyemi · The Eagle OnlineThe Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has explained the absence of captain Wilfred Ndidi, Raphael Onyedika and five other players from the Super Eagles squad for Tuesday’s international friendly against Russia.
According to the NFF, the withdrawals were caused by injuries, club decisions and a documentation issue affecting one of the players.
In a statement issued by its Media Department, the federation said Ndidi and Basel defender Victory Akpe were ruled out through injury.
Ndidi sustained a minor knock during Nigeria’s 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Guinea-Bissau last week.
The NFF said: “Switzerland-based defender Victory Akpe has been stopped from flying to Russia by injury.”
Three other players were unavailable after their clubs prevented them from travelling.
The federation said: “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 was also unable to join the squad after LASK blocked his trip to Russia.
Usor had scored on his Nigeria debut in the 2-1 victory over Madagascar in Uyo on September 25 and was not initially included in the travelling party before head coach Éric Chelle later requested his release.
Slavia Prague forward Suleiman Mubarak, who was in contention to make his Super Eagles debut, also missed the trip because of a residence permit issue.
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The NFF said: “Suleiman Mubarak, invited from Slavia Prague in Czechia, could not travel to Russia because his residence permit has not been secured.”
The withdrawals initially left Chelle with 18 players in camp in Russia before Ibrahim Ajasa of FC Rostov arrived as a late invitee, taking the squad to 19.
The Super Eagles held their final training session at 7.30pm local time on Monday at the Nizhny Novgorod Stadium.
Nigeria are seeking a response after suffering a 3-0 defeat to Guinea-Bissau in Bissau.
Russia head into the friendly in better form after beating Iran 2-0 before thrashing Namibia 6-0 in Yekaterinburg on Saturday.
The Super Eagles will also be looking to improve on their previous meeting with Russia, which ended 1-1 in Moscow in June 2025.
Semi Ajayi’s own goal gave Russia the lead before Tolu Arokodare equalised for Nigeria.
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