{
  "id": 12324728,
  "title": "FULL LIST: 19 Super Eagles players available for Russia friendly after seven withdrawals",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/06/full-list-19-super-eagles-players-available-for-russia-friendly-after",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-10-06T07:22:18.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Punch",
    "slug": "punch",
    "url": "https://punchng.com/full-list-19-super-eagles-players-available-for-russia-friendly-after-seven-withdrawals/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The Nigeria Football Federation announced that the Super Eagles will have 19 players available for the international friendly against Russia on Tuesday. Several players withdrew from the squad due to a combination of clubs refusing to release their players and injuries. Captain Wilfred Ndidi and Moses Usor were ruled out with injuries, while Raphael Onyedika, Bright Osayi-Samuel, Ridwan Abdulrasaq Popoola, and Suleiman Mubarak were stopped from traveling by their respective clubs. Additionally, Suleiman Mubarak was unable to secure the necessary residence permit for the trip to Russia. Late invitee Ibrahim Ajasa of FC Rostov, Russia, helped fill the gap, resulting in 19 players being available for the match. The Super Eagles had their final training session at the Nizhny Novgorod Stadium on Monday before preparing for the friendly.",
  "summary": "The Super Eagles will have 19 players for Tuesday’s friendly against Russia after seven players withdrew due to injuries and club refusal. See the full lis Read More: https://punchng.com/full-list-19-super-eagles-players-available-for-russia-friendly-after-seven-withdrawals/",
  "key_points": [
    "19 Super Eagles players available for Russia friendly.",
    "Seven players withdrew due to injuries and club issues.",
    "Ibrahim Ajasa from FC Rostov filled the gap."
  ],
  "editors_take": "The Super Eagles' depleted squad, due to club refusal and injuries, gains some stability with 19 players available, despite key players like captain Wilfred Ndidi still being ruled out.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Punch Nigeria",
        "title": "FULL LIST: 19 Super Eagles players available for Russia friendly after seven withdrawals",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/06/full-list-19-super-eagles-players-available-for-russia-friendly-after-12330226",
        "published": "2026-10-06T07:12:28.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "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."
}