Reported by Simon Daniel Yusuph l Journalist at Weng Global
Super Eagles captain Wilfred Ndidi has reportedly withdrawn from Nigeria’s international friendly against Russia scheduled for Tuesday, October 6, leaving head coach Éric Chelle without one of the team’s most experienced midfielders for the encounter in Nizhny Novgorod.
Ndidi was originally named in Chelle’s 24-man squad for the friendly and was expected to captain the side against Russia at the Nizhny Novgorod Stadium. However, PUNCH Sports Extra reported on October 2 that the Besiktas midfielder had withdrawn from the fixture.
The reason for Ndidi’s withdrawal has not been confirmed.
His absence would remove an experienced figure from a Nigeria squad deliberately assembled with a mixture of established internationals and players seeking their first senior appearances. The Nigeria Football Federation had previously confirmed Ndidi as captain of the squad announced for the Russia fixture.
Ndidi Was Named Captain of Russia-Friendly Squad
Chelle announced a separate 24-man squad for the Russia friendly after naming another group for Nigeria’s 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying matches against Madagascar and Guinea-Bissau.
The Russia squad was designed to provide opportunities for a number of players who were not part of the team’s main AFCON qualifying group, while retaining several experienced internationals.
The NFF’s official squad announcement identified Ndidi as the captain and included Moses Simon, Stanley Nwabali, Bright Osayi-Samuel, Benjamin Fredricks, Raphael Onyedika and Akor Adams among the more experienced players selected.
Ndidi’s withdrawal therefore comes at a time when Chelle is preparing a relatively experimental group for an international fixture that will also provide opportunities for several uncapped players.
The 24-man squad includes players from clubs in Nigeria and across Europe, with the NFF confirming that several members of the group are in line for their first senior appearances for the Super Eagles.
Nigeria Prepare for Second Meeting With Russia
Nigeria and Russia are scheduled to meet at the Nizhny Novgorod Stadium on October 6, 2026.
The fixture was confirmed by the NFF as the second meeting between the two countries in 16 months. Their previous encounter took place at Moscow’s Luzhniki Stadium on June 6, 2025, when the teams played out a 1-1 draw.
Russia took the lead through an own goal by Nigeria defender Semi Ajayi before Tolu Arokodare equalised for the Super Eagles in the second half.
The upcoming friendly will therefore provide both teams with another opportunity to assess players and tactical options.
For Nigeria, the fixture comes during an international window that also includes the country’s opening matches in the 2027 AFCON qualifying campaign.
Chelle Turns to a New-Look Squad
The Russia squad contains several players who are either new to the senior national team or have had limited opportunities at international level.
Among the goalkeepers selected are Michael Atata of Ikorodu City, Samuel James of SJK FC in Finland and Stanley Nwabali of Chippa United.
The defensive group includes Kenneth Igboke, Isaac James, Benjamin Fredricks, Emmanuel Fernandez, Victory Akpe, Bright Osayi-Samuel and Abdullahi Bewene.
In midfield, the squad initially included Ndidi alongside Raphael Onyedika, Chibuzo Nwoko, Stephen Michael, Igor Wilfred, Ridwan Abdulrasaq, Suleiman Mubarak and Aderemi Adeoye.
The forward options include Kelechi Iheanacho, Moses Simon, Akor Adams, Peter Edokpolor, Abubakar Umar and Abdullahi Umar.
The selection reflects Chelle’s decision to use the friendly as an opportunity to examine additional players while retaining some of the established members of the national team.
Several Players Could Make Their Super Eagles Debuts
One of the major features of Chelle’s squad is the number of players who could receive their first senior international appearances.
The NFF identified Finland-based goalkeeper Samuel James and Switzerland-based defender Victory Akpe among those entering the Super Eagles setup for the first time. Other players included in the squad also have an opportunity to make their senior debuts.
The presence of several newcomers means the coaching staff will have an opportunity to assess players outside the group that has carried much of Nigeria’s recent international workload.
For the players involved, the Russia match could also serve as an opportunity to establish themselves in the national-team setup.
The absence of Ndidi would consequently remove one of the squad’s principal sources of experience, particularly in midfield.
Iheanacho Returns to the Squad
Kelechi Iheanacho is another experienced name included in the Russia squad.
The forward returns to the national-team setup after being left out of some recent selections and is among the players expected to provide additional experience in attack.
Moses Simon and Akor Adams are also part of the squad, while Stanley Nwabali remains among the goalkeeping options.
Chelle’s decision to combine experienced players with newcomers gives the Russia friendly a different character from Nigeria’s competitive AFCON qualifying matches.
The outcome of the game will not directly determine Nigeria’s qualification position because it is an international friendly, but the performance could provide the coaching staff with useful information about the players available to them.
Ndidi’s Experience Will Be Missing
Ndidi has established himself as one of Nigeria’s most experienced midfielders and has regularly played a central role for the Super Eagles.
His defensive work, physical presence and experience in European football have made him an important part of Nigeria’s midfield options.
The 29-year-old midfielder currently plays for Turkish club Besiktas and was selected to lead the squad against Russia.
His withdrawal therefore leaves Chelle with the task of reorganising the midfield and potentially handing greater responsibility to other players.
Raphael Onyedika is among the experienced midfielders retained in the squad, while several younger or less experienced players are also available.
The eventual midfield combination will depend on Chelle’s tactical plans and the players who are available once the squad completes its preparations in Russia.
Nigeria’s Recent Results Add Context
The Russia friendly comes after Nigeria’s recent 2027 AFCON qualifying campaign got off to a difficult start.
The Super Eagles suffered a 3-0 defeat away to Guinea-Bissau in their latest qualifying fixture, according to the current match schedule and reports.
That result followed Nigeria’s earlier AFCON qualifying activity and adds significance to the October international window, even though the Russia fixture itself is not a competitive qualifier.
Chelle will have to balance the need to assess new players with the broader task of developing a squad capable of competing in future competitive fixtures.
The Russia match also gives players outside the regular starting group an opportunity to demonstrate that they can contribute to the national team.
No Reason Given for Ndidi’s Withdrawal
Although Ndidi’s withdrawal has been reported, neither the report announcing his absence nor the NFF information currently available provides a confirmed reason for the decision.
It would therefore be premature to attribute his withdrawal to an injury, club-related issue, travel problem or any other specific circumstance without an official confirmation.
PUNCH Sports Extra reported that the reason for the withdrawal had not been confirmed.
The development could become clearer when the Nigerian delegation completes its preparations in Russia or if the NFF or the player provides an official update.
Until then, the confirmed information is that Ndidi was selected for the match and has subsequently been reported as unavailable.
Backroom Staff and Domestic Players Begin Journey
Preparations for the fixture have already begun, with members of the Super Eagles’ backroom staff and some Nigeria Premier Football League players invited for the friendly departing Nigeria.
Foreign-based players are expected to join the group in Russia as preparations continue.
Chelle is also expected to link up with the squad after the coach did not return with the team following Nigeria’s recent qualifying defeat in Guinea-Bissau.
The gathering of the squad in Russia will allow the coaching staff to work with the players ahead of the October 6 fixture.
What Happens Next
Nigeria will face Russia at the Nizhny Novgorod Stadium on Tuesday, October 6.
The NFF confirmed the venue and date, with the fixture representing the second meeting between the two national teams in 16 months.
The immediate focus will be on completing the squad and determining how Chelle intends to replace Ndidi in the midfield and leadership structure.
The coaching staff will also have to assess the condition and availability of the remaining players before finalising the team for the friendly.
For the newcomers, the match could provide an important opportunity to make their first senior appearances, while established players will be expected to provide the experience required to guide a relatively unfamiliar group.
For now, Ndidi’s withdrawal remains the principal change to the squad ahead of the Russia encounter, with the reason for his absence still unconfirmed.
Why It Matters
Ndidi’s reported withdrawal changes the composition of a Nigeria squad that was already designed to give opportunities to several new players.
His experience as captain and midfielder would have provided continuity in a team containing numerous players with limited or no senior international experience.
However, the friendly also gives Chelle an opportunity to assess Nigeria’s midfield options beyond Ndidi and determine which players can take greater responsibility in the national team.
The Russia fixture will therefore be watched not only for its result but also for the information it provides about Nigeria’s emerging squad options.
Weng Global – stories beyond borders
Sources
Nigeria Football Federation (NFF)
PUNCH Sports Extra
Channels Television
Reuters
Daily Post
