The Nigeria Football Federation says the Super Eagles have been severely weakened forward of Tuesday’s worldwide pleasant towards Russia after a number of golf equipment refused to launch gamers for the fixture.
The NFF Communications Department mentioned the state of affairs was compounded by accidents to key gamers, together with captain Wilfred Ndidi, who picked up a knock throughout Nigeria’s 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying match towards Guinea-Bissau final week.
Midfielder Raphael Onyedika has additionally been dominated out after his German membership, Eintracht Frankfurt, stopped him from travelling to Russia.
Defender Bright Osayi-Samuel and UAE-based midfielder Ridwan Abdulrasaq Popoola have been additionally stopped by their golf equipment from becoming a member of the squad.
Switzerland-based defender Victory Akpe will miss the match due to harm.
Austria-based ahead Moses Usor, who scored on his Nigeria debut towards Madagascar in Uyo on 25 September, was additionally unavailable after his membership, LASK FC, refused to launch him.
The NFF mentioned Usor was not initially listed for the journey however was later requested by head coach Éric Chelle.
“However, when eventually he was requested by Head Coach Éric Chelle, LASK FC told him he should not fly to Russia,” the federation mentioned.
Suleiman Mubarak, who was invited from Czech membership Slavia Prague, additionally did not journey as a result of his residence allow had not been secured.
The NFF mentioned the mix of membership restrictions and accidents had left Nigeria with a weakened squad for the assembly with Russia.
“The situation has weakened the Nigeria squad for the encounter against ‘The Boys’,” the federation mentioned.
Nigeria and Russia performed out a 1-1 draw at Moscow’s Luzhniki Stadium 16 months in the past.
The NFF additionally mentioned late invitee Ibraheem Ajasa of Russian membership FC Rostov was anticipated to affix the group’s camp in Nizhny Novgorod on Sunday night.
A complete of 18 Super Eagles gamers have been listed in Russia for the pleasant.
The squad consists of goalkeepers Michael Atata, Samuel James and Stanley Nwabali; defenders Kenneth Igboke, Isaac James, Benjamin Fredricks, Emmanuel Fernandez and Abdullahi Bewene.
Midfield choices are Chibuzo Nwoke, Stephen Michael, Igor Wilfred and Aderemi Adeoye.
The forwards are Kelechi Iheanacho, Moses Simon, Akor Adams, Peter Edokpolor, Abubakar Umar and Abdullahi Umar.
The pleasant towards Russia provides Chelle one other alternative to evaluate his squad forward of Nigeria’s future aggressive fixtures, however the variety of unavailable gamers has decreased his choices for the encounter.
Faridah Abdulkadiri
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