THE Super Eagles of Nigeria will face Russia in an international friendly this Friday with a significantly reshuffled squad, following a string of injuries and withdrawals that forced changes to Head Coach Eric Chelle’s original list.
First-choice goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali was never scheduled to make the trip due to burial rites for his late parents. However, the goalkeeping department remains stable, with Maduka Okoye of Udinese and Amas Obasogie of Tanzania’s Singida Blackstars set to compete for the starting spot.
In defence, team captain William Ekong and Bright Osayi-Samuel lead the group in Moscow, alongside Unity Cup participants Bruno Onyemaechi, Semi Ajayi, and Igoh Ogbu.
Ola Aina of Nottingham Forest withdrew from the squad, prompting Chelle to include Sodiq Ismaila of Remo Stars and Brentford’s Benjamin Fredericks. Fredericks made a strong impression during his debut against Jamaica in the Unity Cup.
Wilfred Ndidi’s injury has opened the door for Enugu Rangers midfielder Saviour Isaac to join the squad. Isaac, a member of the home-based Eagles preparing for the African Nations Championship, links up with Frank Onyeka, Raphael Onyedika, Fisayo Dele-Bashiru, Christantus Uche, and Papa Daniel Mustapha in midfield.
The attacking line has been hit the hardest. Samuel Chukwueze and Kelechi Iheanacho are absent due to family commitments, Sadiq Umar is sidelined with injury, and Nathan Tella cannot travel as his UK passport is undergoing renewal.
This has left Chelle with Bayer Leverkusen’s Victor Boniface, Simon Moses of FC Nantes, and Tolu Arokodare of Genk. Russia-based Olakunle Olusegun, who plays for Krasnodar, has been drafted in to reinforce the forward line.
The team arrived in Moscow on Monday and will begin training on Tuesday in preparation for the friendly match at the 78,000-capacity Luzhniki Stadium—the largest football venue in Russia.
Confirmed Super Eagles Squad for Russia Friendly:
Goalkeepers:
Maduka Okoye (Udinese, Italy), Amas Obasogie (Singida Blackstars, Tanzania)
Defenders:
William Ekong (Al-Kholood, Saudi Arabia), Bright Osayi-Samuel (Fenerbahce, Turkey), Bruno Onyemaechi (Olympiacos, Greece), Semi Ajayi (West Bromwich Albion, England), Igoh Ogbu (Slavia Prague, Czech Republic), Sodiq Ismaila (Remo Stars), Benjamin Fredericks (Brentford, England)
Midfielders:
Frank Onyeka (Augsburg, Germany), Raphael Onyedika (Club Brugge, Belgium), Fisayo Dele-Bashiru (Lazio, Italy), Christantus Uche (Getafe, 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, Russia)