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Super Eagles coach, Éric Chelle, has made two changes to his squad for Nigeria’s international friendly against Russia following the withdrawals of captain Wilfred Ndidi and defender Victory Akpe.
Midfielder John Otomewo and defender Vince Osuji have been called up to replace the duo, with both players now in line to make their senior international debuts against Russia.
Otomewo recently joined French Ligue 2 side Stade de Reims from Israeli Premier League club Hapoel Jerusalem, while Osuji plays for Norwegian club Tromsø after leaving Belgian side Club Brugge this summer.
Ndidi, who was originally named captain of the 24-man squad, withdrew from the fixture, although no official reason has been given for his absence. Akpe, who received his first senior call-up for the match, is also unavailable.
Nigeria will face Russia at the Nizhny Novgorod Stadium on Tuesday, October 6, as Chelle continues to assess players and expand his options ahead of the Super Eagles’ 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign.
Nigeria opened the qualifiers with a 2-1 victory over Madagascar in Uyo before suffering a 3-0 defeat to Guinea-Bissau in Bissau.
The Super Eagles arrived in Russia on Friday, with the Nigerian delegation reaching Moscow ahead of Tuesday’s encounter.
Chelle’s original squad included experienced players such as Stanley Nwabali, Moses Simon, Bright Osayi-Samuel, Benjamin Fredrick, Raphael Onyedika and Akor Adams.
Kelechi Iheanacho is also back in the national team, while several other players are pushing for their first senior appearances, including Ikorodu City goalkeeper Michael Atata and midfielder Aderemi Adeoye.
The Russia friendly will give Chelle another opportunity to assess emerging options as Nigeria prepare for their next competitive assignments. Nigeria and Russia last met in June 2025, when the Super Eagles held the hosts to a 1-1 draw at Moscow’s Luzhniki Stadium.
