Eric Chelle's Super Eagles Face Russia with Limited Squad

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has announced that Eric Chelle's Super Eagles will compete against Russia on October 6 at the Nizhny Novgorod Stadium, with kick-off set for 6 PM Nigerian time. The squad has been reduced from 24 to 18 players due to injuries and clubs refusing to release players.

Notable absentees include captain Wilfred Ndidi, Bright Osayi-Samuel, and Raphael Onyedika. Despite these setbacks, experienced players such as goalkeeper Moses Simon and striker Akor Adams remain in the squad.

Kelechi Iheanacho and Benjamin Fredrick are also returning for this fixture. The match comes after a disappointing 3-0 defeat to Guinea-Bissau in a 2027 Cup of Nations qualifying match, which has intensified pressure on Chelle's team.

The squad includes goalkeepers Michael Atata, Samuel James, and Stanley Nwabali; defenders Kenneth Igboke, Isaac James, Benjamin Fredrick, Emmanuel Fernandez, and Abdullahi Bewene; midfielders Chibuzo Nwoke, Stephen Michael, Igor Wilfred, and Aderemi Adeoye; and forwards Kelechi Iheanacho, Moses Simon, Akor Adams, Peter Edokpolor, Abubakar Umar, and Abdullahi Umar.