Eric Chelle Unveils Exciting Nigerian Squad List for Unity Cup and June International Friendlies

Nigeria’s head coach, Eric Chelle, has just announced his squad lists for the Unity Cup and Nigeria’s upcoming friendlies against Poland and Portugal. The Unity Cup is a ceremonial tournament of four teams, created by the UK and hosted in London for countries with strong cultural ties and large diasporas in the UK. Aside from national interests, the competition is also an avenue for coaches to experiment with their squads and try new players and tactics. Nigeria is the defending champion, and Eric Chelle has taken advantage of Nigeria’s participation to test new waters. 

Chelle had previously indicated that he would use the competition as an opportunity to scour Europe for new talents to invite and previous invitees yet to make their debut. He also indicated that he would be keeping a close eye on the domestic league and inviting standout performers. His 27-man squad list fulfills his promise with 12 new call-ups to the national team; 5 international players and 7 locally based talents. 

The Unity Cup matches do not count as official FIFA international caps as they fall outside the recognized FIFA calendar. As such, several clubs frown on releasing players for such exhibition tournaments, making it an opportunity to test a different crop of players. 

For Nigeria’s upcoming friendlies, however, Chelle’s squad list features a stronger lineup with several key players returning to the team and local-based players notably missing. National friendlies are recognised by FIFA and count towards the official FIFA rankings, which explains the difference in both squad lists. 

Irrespective, the Unity Cup remains a great opportunity for new call-ups, fresh debutants, and fringe players to challenge for a spot in the Super Eagles. Nigeria’s failure to secure World Cup qualification consecutively has been disappointing for Nigerians, and Eric Chelle will be looking at every available option to strengthen his squad. 

For the friendlies, Nigeria will take on Poland in Warsaw on June 3, before facing off against Portugal in Leira on June 11 as the Portuguese prepare for the World Cup. 

Super Eagles Unity Cup Squad List

Goalkeepers

1. Uzoho Francis (Omonia FC, Cyprus)
2. Arthur Okonkwo (Wrexham FC, England)
3. Michael Atata (Ikorodu City FC, Nigeria)

Defenders

1. Emmanuel Fernandez (Rangers, Scotland)
2. Chibuike Nwaiwu (Trabzonspor, Turkey)
3. Igoh Ogbu (Slavia Prague, Czech)
4. Elias Ochobi (Rivers United, Nigeria)
5. Chibueze Oputa (Rangers FC, Nigeria)
6. Obinna Igboke (Rangers FC, Nigeria)
7. Bruno Onyemaechi (Olympiakos FC, Greece)

Midfielders

1. Ndidi Wilfred (Besiktas JK, Turkey)
2. Samson Tijani (FK Dukla Prague, Czech)
3. Onyedika Raphael (Club Brugge, Belgium)
4. Tochukwu Nnadi (Olympic Marseille, France)
5. Ebenezer Akinsanmiro (Pisa FC, Italy)
6. Yusuf Alhassan (New England Rev, USA)
7. Aderemi Adeoye (Ikorodu City, Nigeria)
8. Ayobami Junior (Shooting Stars, Nigeria)
9. Oyedokun Tosin (Ikorodu City, Nigeria)

Forwards

1. Simon Moses (Paris FC, France)
2. Akor Adams (Sevilla FC, Spain)
3. Otele Philip (Hamburger SV, Germany)
4. Oseni Owen (Plymouth FC, England)
5. Zadok Abu Yohanna (AIK, Greece)
6. Terem Moffi (FC Porto, Portugal)
7. Rafiu Durosinmi (Pisa FC, Italy)
8. Femi Azeez (Millwall FC, England)

Super Eagles June International Friendlies Squad List

Goalkeepers

1. Okoye Maduka (Udinese FC, Italy)
2. Uzoho Francis (Omonia FC, Cyprus)
3. Arthur Okonkwo (Wrexham FC, England)

Defenders

1. Onyemaechi Bruno (Olympiakos, Greece)
2. Sanusi Zaidu (FC Porto, Portugal)
3. Osayi Samuel Bright (Birmingham City, England)
4. Bassey Calvin Chinedu (Fulham FC, England)
5. Ajayi Oluwasemilogo (Hull City FC, England)
6. Fernandez Emmanuel Oluwasegun (Rangers, Glasgow)
7. Ogbu Igoh (Slavia Prague, Czech)

Midfielders

1. Iwobi Alexander Chuka (Fulham FC, England)
2. Onyeka Frank Ogochukwu (Coventry)
3. Ndidi Wilfred (Besiktas FC, Turkey)
4. Dele-Bashiru Fisayo (Lazio FC, Italy)
5. Onyedika Raphael (Club Brugge, Belgium)
6. Nnadi Tochukwu (Olympic Marseille, France)
7. Yusuf Alhassan (New England Rev, USA)

Forwards

1. Lookman Ademola Olajide (Atletico Madrid, Spain)
2. Chukwueze Samuel Chimerenka (Fulham FC, England)
3. Moses Simon (Paris FC, France)
4. Oseni Owen (Plymouth FC, England)
5. Onuachu Paul (Trabzonspor, Turkey)
6. Akor Adams (Sevilla FC, Spain)
7. Osimhen Victor (Galatasaray, Turkey)
8. Terem Moffi (FC Porto, Portugal)