Eric Chelle announces revised squad for friendly clash against Russia

Super Eagles head coach , Eric Chelle has released an updated squad list for the Super Eagles’ upcoming international friendly against Russia scheduled to take place this Friday, June 7, 2025, at the iconic Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow.

The fixture is expected to be a highly competitive encounter and a key part of Nigeria’s preparation for upcoming international tournaments, including the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.

The Super Eagles, under the guidance of head coach Eric Chelle, will face the Russian national team at the 78,000-capacity Luzhniki Stadium the largest stadium in Russia and the ninth-largest in Europe. Kick-off is set for 6:00 PM local time.

Injury Setbacks and Squad Changes

The squad announcement came with several forced changes due to injuries and personal reasons affecting key players.

Nottingham Forest defender Ola Aina has pulled out due to an undisclosed injury and his place has been filled by Sodiq Ismailia of Remo Stars, who gets a rare but well-deserved call-up after an impressive season in the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL).

Similarly, Wilfred Ndidi, a regular presence in Nigeria’s midfield, is unavailable due to injury and has been replaced by Saviour Isaac of Enugu Rangers. The 21-year-old has caught the attention of the national selectors with consistent performances and will be looking to make a strong impression in his debut appearance.

Samuel Chukwueze and Kelechi Iheanacho have both been excused from the squad due to family-related issues, while Sadiq Umar joins the list of absentees due to injury concerns.

Another notable omission is Nathan Tella, who misses the fixture due to a passport renewal issue. His absence opens the door for Olakunle Olusegun, who plies his trade in Russia with FC Krasnodar. Playing in familiar surroundings, Olusegun is expected to make the most of this opportunity on home soil.

Training Schedule and Match Build-Up

The Super Eagles are scheduled to arrive in Moscow on Monday and will hold their first training session on Tuesday. Preparations will continue throughout the week as the team looks to fine-tune tactics and build chemistry among a relatively fresh squad that combines European-based stars with rising talents from the NPFL.

Full Squad List

Goalkeepers:

• Maduka Okoye (Udinese FC, Italy)

• Amas Obasogie (Singida Black Stars, Tanzania)

Defenders:

• William Troost-Ekong (Al-Kholood FC, Saudi Arabia)

• Bright Osayi-Samuel (Fenerbahçe SK, Turkey)

• Bruno Onyemaechi (Olympiacos FC, Greece)

• Oluwasemilogo Ajayi (West Bromwich Albion, England)

• Igoh Ogbu (Slavia Prague, Czech Republic)

• Sodiq Ismaila (Remo Stars, Nigeria)

• Benjamin Frederick (Brentford FC, England)

Midfielders:

• Frank Onyeka (FC Augsburg, Germany)

• Raphael Onyedika (Club Brugge, Belgium)

• Fisayo Dele-Bashiru (Lazio FC, Italy)

• Chrisantus Uche (Getafe CF, Spain)

• Papa Daniel Mustapha (Niger Tornadoes, Nigeria)

• Saviour Isaac (Enugu Rangers, Nigeria)

Forwards:

• Victor Boniface (Bayer Leverkusen, Germany)

• Simon Moses (FC Nantes, France)

• Tolu Arokodare (KRC Genk, Belgium)

• Olakunle Olusegun (FC Krasnodar, Russia)

• Sikiru Alimi (Remo Stars, Nigeria)

Looking Ahead

This friendly match represents a valuable opportunity for the Super Eagles to test new players and formations as they prepare for a demanding calendar ahead. It also serves as a litmus test for younger and domestic-based players seeking to break into the senior team on a regular basis.

With the mix of experienced internationals and promising debutants, Nigerian fans will be eager to see how the restructured squad performs against a strong Russian side on their home turf. All eyes will be on Friday’s clash as Nigeria aims to make a statement and build momentum ahead of crucial fixtures later this year.