Nigeria will be without six of their senior players for the upcoming international fixture against Russia, scheduled for Friday 6 June.
Head coach Eric Sékou Chelle has been forced to revise his plans after the Nigerian Football Federation confirmed that Samuel Chukwueze, Umar Sadiq, Ola Aina, Kelechi Iheanacho, Wilfred Ndidi and Nathan Tella will all miss the match.
Each absence stems from a different cause. Villarreal winger Chukwueze and Nottingham Forest full-back Aina have both cited family-related reasons for opting out of national team duty.
Midfielder Wilfred Ndidi and striker Umar Sadiq are sidelined as they continue to recover from injuries sustained during their respective club campaigns.
Nathan Tella’s withdrawal has been attributed to unresolved administrative issues, while Leicester City forward Kelechi Iheanacho has been excluded for what the federation officially described as “technical reasons”.
In light of these absences, Coach Chelle has called upon fresh talent to bolster the squad, turning to several standout performers from the recently concluded Unity Cup, a tournament won by Nigeria and used as a platform to scout emerging domestic players.
Among the newcomers is defender Sodiq Ismaila, who receives his first national team call-up. He is joined by Benjamin Fredericks, another promising young defender making his senior debut.
Both players will now have the opportunity to train and potentially feature alongside more experienced internationals such as William Troost Ekong.
In midfield, Chelle has brought in Saviour Isaac from Enugu Rangers. The inclusion of Isaac aims to strengthen the central area of the pitch following Ndidi’s withdrawal.
Up front, Olakunle Olusegun has been added to the squad, offering attacking depth in the absence of Iheanacho and Sadiq.
This reshuffled squad presents a valuable opportunity for the younger players to make their mark on the international stage.
While the forced changes may pose a challenge to Chelle’s tactical plans, they also provide a test of Nigeria’s depth and long-term development under his leadership.
With Friday’s match approaching, all eyes will be on how this new-look Super Eagles side performs against a competitive Russian team. For the debutants, it represents more than just a match. It is a chance to step into the spotlight and potentially secure a place in the squad’s future plans.
Despite the notable omissions, Chelle has expressed confidence in the players at his disposal and remains focused on preparing the team for the upcoming FIFA-sanctioned encounter.
The match will serve as a key part of Nigeria’s broader preparations for the next round of World Cup qualifiers and the Africa Cup of Nations.
The final squad is expected to assemble in the coming days as training resumes under the guidance of Chelle and his technical staff.
As Nigeria adapts to these late changes, the spotlight will now fall on the emerging talents handed their first shot at senior international football.
