Chelle to Face Russian Team Amidst Security Threats

Posted : 03 June 2025

A number of withdrawals and injuries to some players have combined to alter the list of those who will appear for Nigeria in Friday’s international friendly match in Moscow, deviating from the original squad drawn up by Super Eagles Head Coach Eric Chelle.

The goalkeeping department remains unaffected, as first-choice Stanley Nwabali was not included in the trip due to the upcoming burial rites for his late parents. Italy-based Maduka Okoye and Tanzania-based Amas Obasogie will compete for the starting goalkeeping position.

In defense, captain William Ekong is already in Moscow alongside Bright Osayi-Samuel, joining the Unity Cup trio of Bruno Onyemaechi, Semi Ajayi, and Igoh Ogbu.

However, Nottingham Forest’s Ola Aina has excused himself from the friendly, prompting Coach Chelle to draft in Unity Cup duo Sodiq Ismaila and Benjamin Fredericks. Former junior international Fredericks impressed on his debut against Jamaica on Saturday.

In midfield, an injury to Wilfred Ndidi has handed Enugu Rangers ace Saviour Isaac an opportunity to shine. Isaac, a key member of the Eagles B team that will participate in the African Nations Championship finals in August, will join Frank Onyeka, Raphael Onyedika, Fisayo Dele-Bashiru, Christantus Uche, and Papa Daniel Mustapha in competing for midfield positions.

Up front, Unity Cup ace Samuel Chukwueze and Kelechi Iheanacho have excused themselves to attend to family matters, while Spain-based Sadiq Umar has been sidelined due to injury.

Nathan Tella’s United Kingdom passport is currently undergoing renewal, making him unavailable for travel.

As a result, Chelle is left with only Victor Boniface, Simon Moses, and Tolu Arokodare in attack. He has therefore called up Russia-based former junior international Olakunle Olusegun, who plays for Krasnodar FC.

The team, which arrived in Moscow on Monday, will begin training sessions on Tuesday.

The match will take place at the 78,000-capacity Luzhniki Stadium, the largest football stadium in Russia and the ninth-largest in Europe.

Super Eagles Squad

Goalkeepers:
Maduka Okoye (Udinese FC, Italy); Amas Obasogie (Singida Black Stars, Tanzania)

Defenders:
William 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 (SK Slavia Prague, Czech Republic); Sodiq Ismaila (Remo Stars); Benjamin Fredericks (Brentford FC, England)

Midfielders:
Frank Onyeka (Augsburg FC, Germany); Raphael Onyedika (Club Brugge, Belgium); Fisayo Dele-Bashiru (Lazio FC, Italy); Christantus Uche (Getafe CF, Spain); Papa Daniel Mustapha (Niger Tornadoes); Saviour Isaac (Enugu Rangers)

Forwards:
Victor Boniface (Bayer Leverkusen, Germany); Simon Moses (FC Nantes, France); Tolu Arokodare (KRC Genk, Belgium); Olakunle Olusegun (Krasnodar FC, Russia)

Chelle to Face Russian Team Amidst Security Threats

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