Super Eagles coach Éric Chelle has made two changes to his squad for Nigeria's international friendly against Russia on October 6. The changes were necessitated by the withdrawals of captain Wilfred Ndidi and defender Victory Akpe. Midfielder John Otomewo and defender Vince Osuji have been called up to replace the duo. Both players are now in line to make their senior international debuts against Russia.
John Otomewo recently joined French Ligue 2 side Stade de Reims from Israeli Premier League club Hapoel Jerusalem. Vince Osuji, on the other hand, plays for Norwegian club Tromsø after leaving Belgian side Club Brugge this summer. Their inclusion in the squad provides Chelle with additional options as he continues to assess players ahead of the Super Eagles' 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign.
Wilfred Ndidi, who was originally named captain of the 24-man squad, withdrew from the fixture, although no official reason has been given for his absence. Victory Akpe, who received his first senior call-up for the match, is also unavailable. The Russia friendly will give Chelle another opportunity to assess emerging options as Nigeria prepare for their next competitive assignments.
The Super Eagles arrived in Russia on Friday, with the Nigerian delegation reaching Moscow ahead of Tuesday's encounter. Chelle's original squad included experienced players such as Stanley Nwabali, Moses Simon, Bright Osayi-Samuel, Benjamin Fredrick, Raphael Onyedika, and Akor Adams. The team is looking to build on their recent performances, including a 2-1 victory over Madagascar in Uyo and a 3-0 defeat to Guinea-Bissau in Bissau.
Kelechi Iheanacho is also back in the national team, while several other players are pushing for their first senior appearances. These include Ikorodu City goalkeeper Michael Atata and midfielder Aderemi Adeoye. The Russia friendly will provide Chelle with valuable insights into the team's capabilities and areas for improvement.
Nigeria and Russia last met in June 2025, when the Super Eagles held the hosts to a 1-1 draw at Moscow's Luzhniki Stadium. The upcoming friendly will be an opportunity for Chelle to experiment with different player combinations and tactics ahead of the Super Eagles' 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign.
The Super Eagles will face Russia at the Nizhny Novgorod Stadium on Tuesday, October 6. The match will be a crucial test for Chelle's team as they look to build momentum and confidence ahead of their next competitive assignments. The team's performance will be closely watched by fans and analysts alike.
Key points
- Éric Chelle makes two changes to his squad due to the withdrawals of Wilfred Ndidi and Victory Akpe.
- John Otomewo and Vince Osuji are called up to replace the withdrawn players.
- The Russia friendly will provide Chelle with valuable insights into the team's capabilities and areas for improvement.
