Super Eagles vs Russia: Latest Nigeria team news, injuries and expected line-up

Super Eagles’ preparations for Tuesday’s friendly against Russia have been thrown into fresh uncertainty after Bright Osayi-Samuel became the third player to withdraw from Éric Chelle’s squad, Afrik-Foot reports.

The Super Eagles arrived in Nizhny Novgorod on Friday and held their first training session on Saturday, with 17 players involved.

Moses Simon, Kelechi Iheanacho, Akor Adams, Stanley Nwabali, Benjamin Fredricks and Emmanuel Fernandez were among those present. Nigeria have another session on Sunday and a final workout on Monday before facing Russia at the 44,899-capacity Nizhny Novgorod Stadium.

Super Eagles: Osayi-Samuel joins growing withdrawal list

Osayi-Samuel’s withdrawal is the latest setback for a squad already stripped of several first-choice players. The Birmingham City full-back started Nigeria’s 3-0 AFCON qualifying defeat by Guinea-Bissau on September 29 but will now miss the Russia fixture, with no official reason given for his withdrawal.

Captain Wilfred Ndidi also pulled out after the Guinea-Bissau game, while Victory Akpe suffered a training-ground injury. Eric Chelle responded by bringing in 19-year-old Reims midfielder John Otomewo and Tromsø centre-back Vince Osuji, both of whom could make their senior debuts.

FC Rostov’s 21-year-old winger Ibraheem Ajasa has also been handed a late invitation by the Super Eagles coach.

Nigeria are without Victor Osimhen, Ademola Lookman, Alex Iwobi, Samuel Chukwueze, Calvin Bassey, Semi Ajayi, Bruno Onyemaechi and Ola Aina for the Russia assignment. The absences have left Chelle with a radically altered squad from the team that started the AFCON qualifiers.

Super Eagles: Expected Nigeria XI

Super Eagles and Chippa United first-choice shot-stopper Nwabali is the leading candidate in goal after training with the group in Nizhny Novgorod.

A reshuffled defence could see one of Alverca’s Isaac James or Kenneth Igboke move into the left-back role, with Emmanuel Fernandez and Benjamin Fredricks forming the centre-back pairing.

Branik Ostrava youngster Abdullahi Bewene could start at right-back for the Super Eagles after Osayi-Samuel’s withdrawal.

Raphael Onyedika should anchor the midfield, with Otomewo pushing for a start alongside either Stephen Michael or Chibuzo Nwoko. Otomewo’s late arrival makes his inclusion a bold option, but his defensive profile could appeal to Chelle against a Russia side that has just demolished Namibia 6-0.

Moses Simon is expected to provide leadership after Ndidi’s withdrawal, with Akor Adams the likely central striker.

Kelechi Iheanacho is another strong candidate to start after earning a recall following his encouraging form with Bursaspor.

The provisional XI is therefore:

Nwabali; Isaac James, Fernandez, Fredricks, Igboke; Onyedika, Otomewo, Stephen Michael; Simon, Adams, Iheanacho.

Russia arrive with momentum

Russia will enter the match carrying a frightening confidence boost after crushing Namibia 6-0 in Yekaterinburg on Saturday. Lechi Sadulaev, Danil Prutsev, Konstantin Tyukavin, Maxim Glushenkov and Maxim Petrov scored, with Namibia’s final goal coming through an own goal in stoppage time.

Nigeria drew 1-1 with Russia in Moscow in June 2025, when Tolu Arokodare cancelled out Semi Ajayi’s own goal. Tuesday’s rematch therefore arrives with Chelle trying to rebuild a depleted side while Russia chase a second straight emphatic victory.

Super Eagles latest update

Nigeria’s final training session on Monday should provide the clearest indication of Chelle’s starting XI and whether any further changes are required before the 6pm Nigerian-time kick-off on Tuesday.