Super Eagles stars Kelechi Iheanacho and Moses Simon headline a dramatically reshaped Nigeria squad ahead of the high-profile clash with Russia at the Nizhny Novgorod Stadium, following a wave of injuries, player withdrawals and club-related complications that have disrupted the team’s preparations.
In what is turning out to be one of the most unpredictable Super Eagles lineups in recent memory, national team fans were treated to a string of eye-opening club destinations across the latest official roster. Headliner Kelechi Iheanacho, now plying his trade with Turkish outfit Bursaspor FC, leads the forward line alongside winger Moses Simon, who features for French side Paris FC.
The dramatic roster reshuffle follows a late crisis that saw seven core squad members drop out simultaneously. Standout figures including team captain Wilfred Ndidi and Victory Akpe were sidelined due to injury, while key foreign clubs, including Austria’s LASK, regarding debut scorer Moses Usor refused permission for several players to travel. Travel document delays further thinned the ranks, leaving manager Éric Chelle scrambling for options.
To bridge the gap, the coaching staff handed a last-minute call-up to FC Rostov forward Ibrahim Ajasa, expanding the travelling contingent to 19 players for tonight’s fixture.
Despite coming off a tough 3-0 setback against Guinea-Bissau last week, the revamped squad completed their final drills at the Nizhny Novgorod Stadium, eager to build on their previous 1-1 draw against Russia in Moscow.
Full 19-Man Matchday Roster
Goalkeepers
* Stanley Nwabali (Chippa United, South Africa)
* Michael Atata (Ikorodu City, Nigeria)
* Samuel James (SJK FC, Finland)
Defenders
* Kenneth Igboke (Enugu Rangers, Nigeria)
* 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, Nigeria)
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)
* Ibrahim Ajasa (FC Rostov, Russia)
