Super Eagles squad cut from 24 to 18 for Russia friendly; Ndidi, Osayi-Samuel and Onyedika miss out amid injuries and club refusals after Guinea-Bissau loss.

Eric Chelle has called up Rostov midfielder Ibraheem Mahfus Ajasa as withdrawals hit Nigeria’s Super Eagles ahead of Tuesday’s friendly against Russia in Novgorod.

Maduka Okoye has returned to Italy as the Super Eagles prepare for Russia, with Iheanacho leading the attack and Ndidi and Onyedika absent from the depleted squad.

Nigeria’s Super Eagles face Russia in a Nizhny Novgorod friendly. Read about team form, their head-to-head record and where to watch live for Nigerian audiences.

Kelechi Iheanacho says passion, not outside pressure, drives his Super Eagles commitment as he returns under Chelle after months away ahead of the Russia friendly.

Eric Chelle’s Nigeria squad has been cut to 18 for the Russia friendly, with injuries, club refusals and a permit issue behind multiple withdrawals overall.

NFF confirms Wilfred Ndidi withdrew from Nigeria's Russia friendly after a knock, with the Super Eagles captain returning to Besiktas for recovery on Sunday.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that Captain Wilfred Ndidi was ruled out after sustaining a minor knock during last week’s 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier against Guinea-Bissau.