The Nigeria Football Federation has explained why captain Wilfred Ndidi, midfielder Raphael Onyedika and five other players withdrew from the Super Eagles’ friendly against Russia, blaming injuries, club restrictions and a documentation problem.
In a statement by its Media Department, the NFF said Ndidi and Basel defender Victory Akpe were ruled out by injury.
Ndidi picked up a minor knock in the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Guinea-Bissau last week. “Switzerland-based defender Victory Akpe has been stopped from flying to Russia by injury,” the statement said.
Midfielder Raphael Onyedika was stopped from travelling to Russia by his German club, Eintracht Frankfurt. Defender Bright Osayi-Samuel and UAE-based midfielder Ridwan Abdulrasaq Popoola were stopped by their clubs,” the NFF said.
Forward Moses Usor was also lost. He scored on his debut in the 2-1 win over Madagascar in Uyo on September 25 and was not in the original travelling list. Head coach Éric Chelle requested him later, but Austrian club LASK told him not to fly to Russia.
