19 players in Super Eagles camp for Russia friendly

Nineteen players are now with the Super Eagles in Nizhny Novgorod ahead of Tuesday’s international friendly against Russia.

Late call-up Ibraheem Ajasa became the latest arrival when he joined the squad on Monday. The FC Rostov player’s arrival brought the number of available players to 19.

Nigeria’s preparations have been affected by injuries and by several clubs refusing to release players for the fixture.

Captain Wilfred Ndidi and Basel defender Victor Akpe have been ruled out with injuries. Bright Osayi-Samuel, Raphael Onyedika and Ridwan Abdulrasaq Popoola were also not given permission by their respective clubs to travel to Russia.

Austria-based Moses Usor is another absentee. Usor was not included in the original travelling party, despite scoring on his Super Eagles debut against Madagascar in Uyo on 25th September.

After Head Coach Eric Chelle later requested his release, LASK FC told the player he should not travel to Russia.

Suleiman Mubarak, who was invited from Slavia Prague in Czechia, was unable to make the trip because his resident permit had not been secured.

The Super Eagles are due to complete their preparations with a final training session tonight.

The 19 players in camp are:

Moses Simon, Akor Adams, Stanley Nwabali, Kelechi Iheanacho, Emmanuel Fernandez, Benjamin Frederick, Wilfred Igor, Samuel James, Kenneth Igboke, Chibuzor Nwoko, Umar Abubakar, Peter Edokpolor, Abdullahi Bewene, Umar Abdullai, Atata Michael, Aderemi Adeoye, Isaac James, Michael Stephen and Ibrahim Ajasa.