Nigeria’s Super Eagles have been significantly weakened ahead of Tuesday’s international friendly against Russia, following a combination of club restrictions and injuries to key players.

 Captain Wilfred Ndidi is ruled out after sustaining a minor knock during last week’s 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying match against Guinea-Bissau. Midfielder Raphael Onyedika has also been prevented from travelling to Russia by his German club, Eintracht Frankfurt.

 Defender Bright Osayi-Samuel and UAE-based midfielder Ridwan Abdulrasaq Popoola were similarly stopped from joining the squad by their respective clubs, while Switzerland-based defender Victory Akpe will miss the trip due to injury.

 Austria-based forward Moses Usor, who scored on his Nigeria debut against Madagascar in Uyo on September 25, was not initially included in the travelling squad. However, after Head Coach Éric Chelle later called him up, his club, LASK FC, instructed him not to travel to Russia.

 Suleiman Mubarak, invited from Czech club Slavia Prague, was also unable to make the trip because his residence permit had not been secured.

 The absences have left Nigeria with a depleted squad for the encounter against the Russian side, nicknamed ‘The Boys’. The two teams played out a 1-1 draw in their previous friendly at Moscow’s Luzhniki Stadium 16 months ago.

 Late invitee Ibraheem Ajasa of Russian club FC Rostov was expected to join the Super Eagles’ camp in Nizhny Novgorod on Sunday evening.

18 Super Eagles in Russia for Friendly

 Goalkeepers

Michael Atata (Ikorodu City)

Samuel James (SJK FC, Finland)

Stanley Nwabali (Chippa United, South Africa)

 Defenders

Kenneth Igboke (Enugu Rangers)

Isaac James (Alverca FC, Portugal)

Benjamin Fredricks (Brentford FC, England)

Emmanuel Fernandez (Glasgow Rangers, Scotland)

Abdullahi Bewene (FC Banik Ostrava, Czechia)

 Midfielders

Chibuzo Nwoke (Fulham FC, England)

Stephen Michael (Vendsyssel FF, Denmark)

Igor Wilfred (Kristiansund FC, Norway)

Aderemi Adeoye (Ikorodu City)

 Forwards

Kelechi Iheanacho (Bursaspor FC, Turkey)

Moses Simon (Paris FC, France)

Akor Adams (Venezia FC, Italy)

Peter Edokpolor (SL Benfica, Portugal)

Abubakar Umar (FC Famalicao, Portugal)

Abdullahi Umar (Hradec Kralove, Czechia)