The club vs country row is rearing its head as Nigeria continues preparation for the international friendly against Russia.
Some Clubs refusing to release their players, coupled with injuries to notable names, have seriously weakened Nigeria’s Super Eagles squad ahead of Tuesday’s international friendly match against Russia’s senior men’s national team.
Captain Wilfred Ndidi is out after sustaining a knock during last week’s 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying match against Guinea-Bissau, while defender Victory Akpe couldn’t make the trip to Russia due to injury.
Defender Bright Osayi-Samuel and midfielder Ridwan Abdulrasaq Popoola were unable to fly to Russia based on their club’s directives. Also, midfielder Raphael Onyedika suffered the same fate from his German club, Eintracht Frankfurt.
Club Vs Country Row Weakens Nigeria Despite Efforts
Moses Usor, who scored on his debut for Nigeria against Madagascar in Uyo on 25th September, wasn’t originally a part of the trip. However, when Head Coach Éric Chelle eventually requested him, LASK FC told him not to fly to Russia.
Suleiman Mubarak, invited from Slavia Prague in Czechia, could not travel to Russia because his residence permit has not been secured.
The situation has weakened the Nigeria squad for the encounter against ‘The Boys’ with whom the Super Eagles battled to a 1-1 draw in another friendly in Moscow’s Luzhniki Stadium 16 months ago.
Expectations are high that late invitee, Ibraheem Ajasa of FC Rostov, Russia,will join the camp in Nizhny, Sunday evening.
18 SUPER EAGLES IN RUSSIA FOR FRIENDLY MATCH
Goalkeepers: Michael Atata (Ikorodu City); Samuel James (SJK FC, Finland); Stanley Nwabali (Chippa United, South Africa)
Defenders: Kenneth Igboke (Enugu Rangers); Isaac James (Alverca FC, Portugal); Benjamin Fredricks (Brentford FC, England); Emmanuel Fernandez (Glasgow Rangers, Scotland); Abdullahi Bewene (FC Banik Ostrava, Czechia)
Midfielders: Chibuzo Nwoke (Fulham FC, England); Stephen Michael (Vendsyssel FF, Denmark); Igor Wilfred (Kristiansund FC, Norway); Aderemi Adeoye (Ikorodu City)
Forwards: Kelechi Iheanacho (Bursaspor FC, Turkey); Moses Simon (Paris FC, France); Akor Adams (Venezia FC, Italy); Peter Edokpolor (SL Benfica, Portugal); Abubakar Umar (FC Famalicao, Portugal); Abdullahi Umar (Hradec Kralove, Czechia).
