Chelle Challenges NPFL Stars to Earn Super Eagles Future at Unity Cup

Nigeria’s senior men’s national team head coach Eric Chelle has challenged the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) players invited to the national team to prove they deserve a place in the squad ahead of the Unity Cup tournament in London.

The Malian tactician included eight home-based players in his squad as Nigeria began preparations to defend their title in the four-nation competition.

Among the NPFL players invited are Tosin Oyedokun, Aderemi Adeoye, Michael Atata, Tijani Al Ameen, Chibueze Oputa, Obinna Igboke, Ayobami Junior, and Elias Ochobi.

Speaking during his pre-match press conference ahead of Nigeria’s opening game against Zimbabwe, Chelle stressed that the invitations were not gifts but opportunities that must be justified through performance and commitment.

“Of course, this is a test. This is not a present. I didn’t give them a present,” Chelle said.

“This is a bad present because they come and play. If they are good, they stay, if they are bad…”

The former Mali coach explained that the players earned their invitations through their performances during the NPFL season, but warned that breaking permanently into the Super Eagles setup would require consistency and exceptional displays.

“This is not a question of Eric being nice and giving chances to players,” he added.

“They deserve to be here because they played well during the year. Now they are here, this is not the end because this is the beginning. It is very difficult to enter the national team.”

Chelle also highlighted the fierce competition in every department of the squad, pointing to the quality of established internationals already occupying those positions.

“If you want to play at centre-back, you have Calvin Bassey, Semi Ajayi, Benjamin Fredrick, Igor Ogbu, Fernandez,” he said.

“You want to play full-back, you have Ola Aina, Bruno Onyeamachi, Zaidu Sanusi, and Osayi-Samuel.”

“You want to play in midfield, you have the magician Alex Iwobi. The reality is you have to be better than all these guys to enter that team.”

“You want to play as a striker, you have Victor Osimhen, the best striker in the world.”

The coach further urged the home-based players to approach the tournament with intensity, aggression, and determination if they hope to secure future opportunities with the national team, including a place in Nigeria’s Africa Cup of Nations squad.

“When you come, this is not a present. You have to give everything, the intensity and aggression,” Chelle stated.

“If you deserve to play at AFCON, I have no problem with that.”

Nigeria will compete against Zimbabwe, Jamaica, and India in the Unity Cup tournament taking place in London.

The Super Eagles begin their campaign against Zimbabwe, with victory securing a place in the final against either Jamaica or India.