Mutiu Adepoju applauds Eric Chelle’s selection choices for Unity Cup

By Oyediji Oluwaseun Babatunde

As Nigeria gears up for the eagerly awaited Unity Cup Tournament in London, Super Eagles legend, Mutiu Adepoju have expressed their support for the current head coach Eric Chelle, commending his admirable choice to integrate homegrown talents from the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) with seasoned foreign professionals.

Their support coincides with Chelle announcing a 25-man squad that will compete against Ghana in the semi-finals of the Unity Cup on May 28, with the tournament final scheduled for May 31 at the Gtech Community Stadium in West London.

Chelle’s strategy brings to mind the legendary Nigerian coaches such as Clemens Westerhof, Stephen Keshi, and Bonfrere Jo, who were known for incorporating domestic league players into the national team structure.

This tradition, which was pivotal during Nigeria’s golden football era in the 1990s, seems to be experiencing a contemporary resurgence.

In a discussion with journalists, Mutiu Adepoju—affectionately known as “The Headmaster” for his exceptional aerial skills—pointed out that Chelle’s decision to include nine to ten NPFL players is not only tactical but also serves as an inspiration for local talents.

“Yes, I believe it’s a positive move, a significant development,” Adepoju remarked. “When I counted the home-based players, I noticed nine—this is fantastic for the NPFL. It serves as a means of promoting our domestic league and demonstrating confidence in the talent present at home.”

When questioned if Chelle is deliberately emulating the approaches of former coaches like Westerhof and Keshi, Adepoju confirmed:

“Yes, I think it’s always beneficial. Chelle implemented a similar strategy while coaching in Mali. It is crucial to support the local league—it holds great importance.

Adepoju also conveyed his hopefulness regarding Nigeria’s prospects in the tournament:

“Why not? They are heading there to compete. If they invest all their efforts into it, I am confident they can achieve victory.”