Eric Chelle names NPFL-laden Nigeria squad for Unity Cup in London

By Dayo Awoniyi

Nigeria head coach Eric Sékou Chelle has unveiled a 12-man squad packed with standout talent from the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) for the upcoming Unity Cup international tournament in London.

The Unity Cup, a four-nation friendly competition, will see Nigeria square off against Ghana, Jamaica, and Trinidad & Tobago.

The event is a key component of the Super Eagles’ preparations for the 2025 African Nations Championship (CHAN), which is exclusively reserved for players plying their trade in domestic leagues.

Leading the local contingent is Remo Stars forward Sikiru Alimi, whose impressive form in front of goal earns him another deserved call-up. Also included is CHAN Eagles captain Nduka Junior, offering leadership and experience in the heart of defence.

Veteran striker Ahmed Musa, still registered with a domestic club, brings invaluable experience to a youthful squad. Enugu Rangers provide two of the team’s exciting inclusions in Isaac Saviour and Ifeanyi Onyebuchi, both of whom have been key figures in their club’s strong NPFL campaign.

Other notable names include:

• Adamu Abubakar (Plateau United)

• Vincent Temitope (Plateau United)

• Papa Daniel (Niger Tornadoes) – who featured in Nigeria’s March World Cup qualifiers

Coach Chelle’s decision to field a largely home-based squad highlights his commitment to nurturing domestic talent and building a cohesive unit ahead of CHAN 2025.

“This tournament offers an invaluable opportunity for these players to gain international exposure, measure themselves against quality opposition, and stake their claim for a permanent place in the national setup,” Chelle said.

The Unity Cup will not only serve as a tactical rehearsal for CHAN but also a showcase for NPFL talent to shine on a global stage.

With scouts and national team selectors watching closely, these players will be eager to make a statement in London.

Samuel Ahmadu

Samuel Ahmadu is a distinguished multimedia journalist and women's football expert with over 15 years of experience in the industry. He began his career 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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