The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has announced the withdrawal of six players from the Super Eagles camp ahead of their international friendly against Russia scheduled for June 6 at Luzhniki Stadium.
Following their Unity Cup victory over Jamaica on Saturday, the team’s next challenge is the friendly encounter with Russia.
Coach Eric Chelle initially named a 26-man squad for the Unity Cup and a separate 21-man squad for the Russia fixture. This resulted in some players missing out on the Unity Cup squad, while others who could not make the earlier game were included.
Changes have now been made to the squad for the Russia game due to withdrawals by senior players and subsequent call-ups to replace them.
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Nottingham Forest’s Ola Aina has excused himself from the match and has been replaced by Sodiq Ismaila and Brentford’s promising talent Benjamin Fredericks, who impressed in the Unity Cup.
Wilfred Ndidi has pulled out due to injury, with Enugu Rangers midfielder Saviour Isaac, who has CHAN Eagles experience, called up as his replacement.
Samuel Chukwueze and Kelechi Iheanacho withdrew for personal reasons, while Sadiq Umar is sidelined with an injury.
Bayer Leverkusen’s Nathan Tella is also unavailable as he is renewing his passport in the United Kingdom. Olakunle Olusegun has been summoned to fill his place.
Nigeria squad against Russia==================================================================
Goalkeepers: Maduka Okoye (Udinese FC, Italy), Amas Obasogie (Singida Blackstars, Tanzania).
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 Fredericks (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).