{
  "id": 8093306,
  "title": "Friendly: Chelle lists 24 players for Super Eagles vs Russia",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/17/friendly-chelle-lists-24-players-for-super-eagles-vs-russia",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-09-17T20:28:26.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Daily Post Nigeria",
    "slug": "daily-post-nigeria",
    "url": "https://dailypost.ng/2026/09/17/friendly-chelle-lists-24-players-for-super-eagles-vs-russia/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The Nigeria national team, under the guidance of head coach Éric Chelle, has announced a squad of 24 players for their upcoming international friendly against Russia. This friendly match is scheduled to take place at the Nizhny Novgorod Stadium on Tuesday, October 6. Captain Wilfred Ndidi will spearhead the team, alongside other prominent players such as Moses Simon, goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali, defenders Bright Osayi-Samuel and Benjamin Fredricks, midfielder Raphael Onyedika, and forwards Kelechi Iheanacho and Akor Adams.\n\nThe squad includes several first-time call-ups, with goalkeeper Samuel James joining from Finland and defender Victory Akpe from Switzerland. Six midfielders and three forwards will also make their debut appearances for the Super Eagles, expanding the team's depth as Chelle continues to evaluate his options ahead of the friendly match.\n\nThe full list of goalkeepers in the squad comprises Michael Atata from Ikorodu City, Samuel James from SJK FC in Finland, and Stanley Nwabali from Chippa United in South Africa. Defenders include Kenneth Igboke from Enugu Rangers, Isaac James from Alverca FC in Portugal, Benjamin Fredricks from Brentford FC in England, Emmanuel Fernandez from Glasgow Rangers in Scotland, Victory Akpe from FC Basel in Switzerland, Bright Osayi-Samuel from Birmingham FC in England, and Abdullahi Bewene from FC Banik Ostrava in the Czech Republic.\n\nMidfielders such as Wilfred Ndidi from Besiktas FC in Turkey, Raphael Onyedika from Eintracht Frankfurt in Germany, Chibuzo Nwoko from Fulham FC in England, Stephen Michael from Vendsyssel FF in Denmark, Igor Wilfred from Kristiansund FC in Norway, Ridwan Abdulrasaq from Al Wasl in the UAE, Suleiman Mubarak from Slavia Prague in the Czech Republic, and Aderemi Adeoye from Ikorodu City will join the team. Forwards Kelechi Iheanacho from Bursaspor FC in Turkey, Moses Simon from Paris FC in France, Akor Adams from Venezia FC in Italy, Peter Edokpolor from SL Benfica in Portugal, Abubakar Umar from FC Famalicao in Portugal, and Abdullahi Umar from Hradec Kralove in the Czech Republic round out the squad.",
  "summary": "Super Eagles head coach Éric Chelle has named a 24-man squad for Nigeria’s international friendly against Russia. The three-time African champions will take on Russia at the Nizhny Novgorod Stadium on Tuesday, October 6. Captain Wilfred Ndidi will lead the squad, alongside key players including Moses Simon, goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali, defenders Bright Osayi-Samuel and Benjamin […] Friendly:…",
  "key_points": [
    "Nigeria national team announces 24-player squad for Russia friendly.",
    "Friendly match scheduled for October 6 at Nizhny Novgorod Stadium.",
    "Captain Wilfred Ndidi leads team with several first-time call-ups."
  ],
  "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."
}