Eric Chelle to Use Unity Cup to Shape Super Eagles Squad for Portugal, Poland Friendlies

Nigeria senior men’s national team head coach Eric Chelle has revealed that the upcoming 2026 Unity Cup in London will play a key role in shaping his squad selection for Nigeria’s high-profile international friendlies against Portugal and Poland.

According to the Malian tactician, the tournament will provide an important opportunity to assess emerging talents and expand the national team player pool ahead of future competitions, including the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations campaign.

Several players are expected to receive first-time or infrequent invitations to the Super Eagles setup, including Owen Oseni, Rafiu Durosinmi, Philip Otele, Samson Tijani and Tosin Oyedokun.

Chelle explained that the Unity Cup will help him identify players who suit his tactical approach while increasing competition within the squad.

“Nigeria is blessed with a lot of talented players, but not everybody can play at the same time. The Unity Cup gives us the chance to observe new players and expand our options,” Chelle said.

Following the tournament in London, Chelle is expected to name a stronger and more experienced squad for the glamour friendlies against Poland and Portugal, with the Portuguese side potentially featuring global football icon Cristiano Ronaldo if selected.

However, the former Mali coach admitted that player availability may become a concern due to fatigue and injuries after the European club season.

“At this time, it is difficult because many players are on holiday after a long season. Some have minor injuries and need rest, so it will depend on how they feel,” he explained.

Chelle added that his immediate priority remains preparing the team for the Unity Cup before making final decisions on the June friendlies.

The Super Eagles coach has also intensified monitoring of players in the Nigeria Premier Football League as part of efforts to integrate more home-based talents into the national team.

His approach signals a broader rebuilding process aimed at creating a stronger, more balanced and competitive squad capable of challenging at both continental and global level.

Samuel Ahmadu

Samuel Ahmadu is a distinguished multimedia journalist and women's football expert with over 15 years of experience in the industry. On the back of domestic engagement since 2008, he began his international career journey at Goal.com in February 2014, where he served as an African women's football correspondent for nearly eight years. During his tenure at Goal.com, Samuel covered major events such as three Women's Africa Cup of Nations (2016, 2018, 2022) and the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup in Canada plus 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia. His work at Goal.com earned him widespread acclaim, particularly for his in-depth profiles of African football stars, notably Asisat Oshoala, whose rise he documented from her early years to her breakthrough at the FIFA U20 Women's World Cup in 2014. Prior to his role at Goal.com, Samuel freelanced for various print and broadcast media outlets in Nigeria, including Graphics Newspaper, Radio Nigeria, Grace FM, and Savid Newspaper. His extensive experience and expertise led to his appointment to the Nigeria Football Federation's Standing Committee on Women's Football Development from 2016 to 2018. Since February 2018, Samuel has been the Social Media Manager for Nigeria's women's national teams.In 2019, Samuel joined the Confederation of African Football (CAF) as a women's football content contributor and was promoted to Women's Football Editor in 2021. His contributions to women's football continued as he worked as a Media Consultant for Content Creation and Editorials at the 2022 CAF Women's Champions League. Currently, Samuel also serves as the spokesman for the Nigeria Women Football League, further solidifying his influence and dedication to the growth of women's football in Africa.

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