{
  "id": 12234730,
  "title": "Russia vs Nigeria: 7 Super Eagles players to miss friendly",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/05/russia-vs-nigeria-7-super-eagles-players-to-miss-friendly",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-10-05T21:24:45.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Daily Post Nigeria",
    "slug": "daily-post-nigeria",
    "url": "https://dailypost.ng/2026/10/05/russia-vs-nigeria-7-super-eagles-players-to-miss-friendly/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The Nigeria Football Federation has announced that seven Super Eagles players will be unable to participate in the upcoming international friendly against Russia on Tuesday. The absences are due to a combination of factors including injuries, club refusals, and residency permit complications. Among those affected are the team's captain, Wilfred Ndidi, as well as Raphael Onyedika, Moses Usor, Akpe Victory, Bright Osayi-Samuel, Ridwan Abdulrasaq Popoola, and Suleiman Mubarak. These withdrawals were confirmed in an official statement from the NFF. Ndidi suffered a minor injury during the AFCON 2027 qualifier defeat against Guinea-Bissau, while Victory's absence is a result of an injury. Vince Osuji and John Otomewo from Reims have been called up to replace Ndidi and Victory respectively. Additionally, Raphael Onyedika, Bright Osayi-Samuel, Ridwan Abdulrasaq Popoola, and Moses Usor have all faced obstacles from their respective clubs in attending the match.",
  "summary": "At least seven Super Eagles players will be unavailable for Tuesday’s international friendly against Russia. The late withdrawals are as a result of injuries, club refusals and residence permit issues. Those affected include captain Wilfred Ndidi, Raphael Onyedika, Moses Usor, Akpe Victory, Bright Osayi-Samuel, Ridwan Abdulrasaq Popoola and Suleiman Mubarak. This was confirmed in an […] Russia vs…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}