Nigeria announce revised squad for Russia friendly; Victor Boniface called-up

The Super Eagles will face Russia in a friendly match.

Due to a series of injuries and withdrawals, manager Eric Chelle had to make alterations to his initial roster before Nigeria plays Russia in an international friendly this Friday.

Stanley Nwabali, the first-choice goalie, was never supposed to travel because of his parents’ funerals. The goalkeeping position is still secure, though, as Tanzania’s Singida Blackstars’ Amas Obasogie and Udinese’s Maduka Okoye are expected to contend for the starting position.

Nigeria’s defence is led by Bright Osayi-Samuel and team captain William Ekong, together with Bruno Onyemaechi, Semi Ajayi, and Igoh Ogbu, who are all Unity Cup competitors. After Nottingham Forest’s Ola Aina pulled out of the team, Chelle added Benjamin Fredericks of Brentford and Remo Stars’ Sodiq Ismaila. When Fredericks made his Unity Cup debut against Jamaica, he left a lasting impact.

Due to Wilfred Ndidi’s injury, Saviour Isaac, a midfielder for Enugu Rangers, is now able to join the Nigeria squad. Isaac plays midfield alongside Frank Onyeka, Raphael Onyedika, Fisayo Dele-Bashiru, Christantus Uche, and Papa Daniel Mustapha for the home-based Eagles as they get ready for the African Nations Championship.

The most heavily impacted unit has been the offensive line. Sadiq Umar is out with an injury, Nathan Tella is unable to go because his UK passport is being renewed, and Samuel Chukwueze and Kelechi Iheanacho are absent because of family obligations.

This leaves Nigeria with Tolu Arokodare of Genk, Simon Moses of FC Nantes, and Victor Boniface of Bayer Leverkusen. Olakunle Olusegun, a Krasnodar FC player currently playing in Russia, has also been called up to bolster the forward line.

Nigeria’s revised squad for Russia friendly

Goalkeepers: Maduka Okoye (Udinese FC, Italy); Amas Obasogie (Singida Blackstars, Tanzania)

Defenders: Bright Osayi-Samuel (Fenerbahce SK, Turkey); Bruno Onyemaechi (Olympiacos FC, Greece); Oluwasemilogo Ajayi (West Bromwich Albion, England); Igoh Ogbu (SK Slavia Prague, Czech Republic); William Troost-Ekong (Al-Kholood FC, Saudi Arabia); Sodiq Ismaila (Remo Stars); Benjamin Fredericks (Brentford FC, England)

Midfielders: Saviour Isaac (Enugu Rangers, Nigeria); Raphael Onyedika (Club Brugge, Belgium); Fisayo Dele-Bashiru (Lazio FC, Italy); Chrisantus Uche (Getafe CF, Spain); Frank Onyeka (Augsburg FC, Germany); Papa Daniel Mustapha (Niger Tornadoes)

Forwards: Victor Boniface (Bayer Leverkusen, Germany); Simon Moses (FC Nantes, France); Tolu Arokodare (KRC Genk, Belgium); Olakunle Olusegun (Krasnodar FC, Russia).