Osayi-Samuel Joins Ndidi OnNigeria’s Injury Absentee List For Russia Friendly

Nigeria have suffered another setback ahead of Tuesday’s international friendly against Russia, with Bright Osayi-Samuel withdrawing from the Super Eagles squad.

The Beşiktaş defender becomes the latest senior player to become unavailable for the October 6 encounter at the Nizhny Novgorod Stadium, following captain Wilfred Ndidi, who had earlier pulled out of the fixture.

FC Basel defender Akpe Victory has also been ruled out after sustaining an injury, further reducing Nigeria’s defensive options for the friendly.

In response to the withdrawals, the Nigeria Football Federation has drafted in replacements, with John Oromewo called up to take Ndidi’s place, while Vince Osuji has been added to the squad to replace Victory.

Osayi-Samuel’s withdrawal leaves head coach Eric Chelle with another selection issue as he prepares for his first match since Nigeria’s disappointing 3-0 defeat to Guinea-Bissau in a 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier.

The Russia friendly is expected to provide Chelle with an opportunity to assess several players and give some of the new faces in the squad valuable international experience.

A number of players were handed their first call-ups for the fixture as Chelle looks to broaden his options ahead of Nigeria’s next competitive assignments.

The Super Eagles began preparations for the encounter after members of the backroom staff and some Nigeria Premier Football League players travelled ahead, with the foreign-based players expected to join the squad in Russia.

The fixture will also be an opportunity for Chelle to assess the team’s response following the heavy defeat in Guinea-Bissau, where the Super Eagles struggled to impose themselves and conceded three goals.

Nigeria will face Russia at the Nizhny Novgorod Stadium on Tuesday, October 6, as preparations continue for the Super Eagles’ future international commitments.