Chelle opts for different squad against Russia

by Staff Reporter

Thursday May 22, 2025. 13:00

Nigeria head coach Eric Chelle has made sweeping changes to his squad for the friendly against Russia next month, with star striker Victor Osimhen a notable absentee.

Chelle included home-based Junior Nduka, Sikiru Alimi and Adamu Abubakar in the 25-man party for the Unity Cup later this month, but the trio will miss the trip to Moscow.

Osimhen has also been left out despite scoring 36 goals in 40 appearances for Galatasaray this season to help them win the Turkish domestic double.

William Troost-Ekong, Ola Aina, Bright Osayi-Samuel, Raphael Onyedika, Fisayo Dele-Bashiru, Victor Boniface and Sadiq Umar all return to the national set-up after being omitted for the tournament against Trinidad and Tobago, Jamaica and Ghana in London.

Stanley Nwabali, Ifeanyi Onyebuchi, Sodiq Ismaila, Waliu Ojetoye, Saviour Isaac, Collins Ugwueze, Ahmed Musa and Cyriel Dessers are the players to make way for the clash with Russia in Saint Petersburg on June 6.

Nigeria squad in full:

Goalkeepers: Maduka Okoye (Udinese), Amas Obasogie (Singida Black Stars);

Defenders: William Troost-Ekong (Al-Kholood), Ola Aina (Nottingham Forest), Bright Osayi-Samuel (Fenerbahce), Bruno Onyemaechi (Olympiacos), Semi Ajayi (West Brom), Igoh Ogbu (Slavia Prague);

Midfielders: Wilfred Ndidi (Leicester City), Frank Onyeka (Augsburg), Raphael Onyedika (Club Brugge), Fisayo Dele-Bashiru (Lazio), Chrisantus Uche (Getafe), Papa Daniel Mustapha (Niger Tornadoes);

Forwards: Victor Boniface (Bayer Leverkusen), Samuel Chukwueze (AC Milan), Kelechi Iheanacho (Middlesbrough), Moses Simon (Nantes), Nathan Tella (Bayer Leverkusen), Tolu Arokodare (Genk), Sadiq Umar (Valencia).