The Nigeria Soccer Federation says the Tremendous Eagles had been critically weakened forward of Tuesday’s global pleasant in opposition to Russia after a number of golf equipment refused to unlock avid gamers for the fixture.
The NFF Communications Division stated the location used to be compounded via accidents to key avid gamers, together with captain Wilfred Ndidi, who picked up a knock right through Nigeria’s 2027 Africa Cup of Countries qualifying fit in opposition to Guinea-Bissau final week.
Midfielder Raphael Onyedika has additionally been dominated out after his German membership, Eintracht Frankfurt, stopped him from travelling to Russia.
Defender Vibrant Osayi-Samuel and UAE-based midfielder Ridwan Abdulrasaq Popoola have been additionally stopped via their golf equipment from becoming a member of the squad.
Switzerland-based defender Victory Akpe will omit the fit as a result of damage.
Austria-based ahead Moses Usor, who scored on his Nigeria debut in opposition to Madagascar in Uyo on 25 September, used to be additionally unavailable after his membership, LASK FC, refused to unlock him.
The NFF stated Usor used to be no longer to start with indexed for the commute however used to be later asked via head trainer Éric Chelle.
“On the other hand, when ultimately he used to be asked via Head Trainer Éric Chelle, LASK FC informed him he must no longer fly to Russia,” the federation stated.
Suleiman Mubarak, who used to be invited from Czech membership Slavia Prague, additionally didn’t go back and forth as a result of his place of dwelling allow had no longer been secured.
The NFF stated the mix of membership restrictions and accidents had left Nigeria with a weakened squad for the assembly with Russia.
“The location has weakened the Nigeria squad for the stumble upon in opposition to ‘The Boys’,” the federation stated.
Nigeria and Russia performed out a 1-1 draw at Moscow’s Luzhniki Stadium 16 months in the past.
The NFF additionally stated overdue invitee Ibraheem Ajasa of Russian membership FC Rostov used to be anticipated to sign up for the staff’s camp in Nizhny Novgorod on Sunday night time.
A complete of 18 Tremendous Eagles avid gamers have been indexed in Russia for the pleasant.
The squad contains goalkeepers Michael Atata, Samuel James and Stanley Nwabali; defenders Kenneth Igboke, Isaac James, Benjamin Fredricks, Emmanuel Fernandez and Abdullahi Bewene.
Midfield choices are Chibuzo Nwoke, Stephen Michael, Igor Wilfred and Aderemi Adeoye.
The forwards are Kelechi Iheanacho, Moses Simon, Akor Adams, Peter Edokpolor, Abubakar Umar and Abdullahi Umar.
The pleasant in opposition to Russia provides Chelle some other alternative to evaluate his squad forward of Nigeria’s long term aggressive fixtures, however the collection of unavailable avid gamers has decreased his choices for the stumble upon.
Faridah Abdulkadiri
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