Nigeria lose Raphael Onyedika and Moses Usor for Russia friendly

Nigeria will be without Raphael Onyedika and Moses Usor for Tuesday’s international friendly against Russia after both players were retained by their clubs.

Eintracht Frankfurt did not give Onyedika permission to travel for the fixture, leaving the Super Eagles without one of their key players.

Usor has also been ruled out after Austrian club LASK refused to release him. The decision came because Nigeria’s call-up was considered to have been submitted too late.

The absence of Usor is particularly disappointing after he scored on his international debut against Madagascar recently.

The late withdrawals have forced Nigeria’s coaching staff to reconsider their tactical plans before a demanding meeting with the Russian national team.