Nigeria Hand Late Call‑Up to Ibraheem Ajasa Ahead of Friendly with Russia
Super Eagles coach Éric Chelle has called up Rostov midfielder Ibraheem Ajasa for the friendly against Russia.

In Brief
- •Super Eagles coach Éric Chelle has called up Rostov midfielder Ibraheem Ajasa for the friendly against Russia.
- •Ajasa replaces Bright Osayi‑Samuel, one of three players who withdrew from the squad.
- •Captain Wilfred Ndidi and Akpe Victory also pulled out, with John Otomewo and Vince Osuji drafted in as replacements.
- •The match is scheduled for Tuesday at Nizhny Novgorod Stadium in Russia.
Why It Matters
The late roster changes highlight the Super Eagles’ need to fill gaps caused by player withdrawals, potentially affecting team cohesion and performance. The friendly offers both Nigeria and Russia an opportunity to fine‑tune tactics ahead of upcoming international fixtures, making squad stability crucial for competitive readiness.
Key Details
- Head Coach
- Éric Chelle
- Newly Called‑Up Player
- Ibraheem Ajasa
- Withdrawn Players
- Bright Osayi‑Samuel, Wilfred Ndidi, Akpe Victory
- Replacement Players
- John Otomewo, Vince Osuji
- Venue
- Nizhny Novgorod Stadium, Russia
- Match Date
- Tuesday (2026‑10‑??)
Original Reporting & Sources
VNews is an independent briefing product. Original reporting remains credited to the following publishers:
This brief was synthesized automatically using attributed third-party reporting. VNews is a digital news publication produced under the VContent Group brand and operated by Francis Vincent Sunday in Ghana, independent from the publishers cited above. Read our AI Transparency Policy and Editorial & Corrections Policy.