Nigeria suffer late squad blows before Russia friendly

Nigeria have lost Wilfred Ndidi and Akpe Victory to injury ahead of their friendly against Russia, with the pair ruled out four days before the match.

Midfielder Ndidi, who plays for Besiktas, and defender Victory of FC Basel were both forced to withdraw from the Super Eagles squad because of physical problems, the Nigeria Football Federation confirmed.

Nigeria head coach Eric Chelle has responded by calling up Vince Osuji of Tromsø and John Otomewo from Stade de Reims to replace them.

The latest withdrawals further weaken a squad already missing nine regular starters. Among those unavailable is forward Victor Osimhen, one of Nigeria’s leading attacking players.

The changes come despite Nigeria making a successful start to their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign. Chelle’s preparations for the meeting with Russia in Nizhny Novgorod have nevertheless been complicated by the growing list of absentees.