Head Coach Eric Chelle Names Twelve Uncapped Players in Super Eagles Squad for 2026 Unity Cup

Posted : 22 May 2026

Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle has taken a bold step toward rebuilding the national team by naming twelve uncapped players in his 27-man squad for the upcoming 2026 Unity Cup. The four-nation invitational tournament will kick off on May 26 at The Valley Stadium in London. Nigeria enters the mini-tournament as the defending champions, sharing the competitive field with Zimbabwe, Jamaica, and India. Chelle’s latest roster selection directly honors his previous promise to reward exceptional form while integrating promising young prospects into the national setup.

The Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) received significant recognition with seven home-based players earning their maiden senior international call-ups. High-flying debutants Ikorodu City lead the domestic contingent with goalkeeper Michael Atata, midfielder Tosin Oyedokun, and defender Aderemi Adeoye making the list. Atata earned his spot after recording an impressive sixteen clean sheets in the domestic league. They are joined by league leaders Rangers International duo Chibueze Oputa and Obinna Igboke. Rivers United defender Elias Ochobi and Shooting Stars playmaker Ayobami Junior, who leads the NPFL with thirteen assists, complete the local list.

Chelle also extended invitations to five exciting overseas-based newcomers to add critical depth to the Super Eagles roster. Teenage winger Zadok Yohanna receives his first call-up following a breakthrough season with Swedish top-flight club AIK Fotboll. Striker Rafiu Durosinmi of Italian Serie B side Pisa also earned a surprise invitation due to his immense long-term potential. The incoming class features a prominent trio from the English Football League, highlighted by Wrexham goalkeeper Arthur Okonkwo. Plymouth Argyle striker Owen Oseni and Millwall winger Femi Azeez complete the foreign-based newcomers heading to London.

The strategic injection of young talent allows Chelle to evaluate alternative options before demanding competitive fixtures resume. Nigeria will face Zimbabwe in their opening semifinal match on May 26, aiming to protect their regional tournament supremacy. Senior core players like captain Wilfred Ndidi and forward Victor Osimhen will return to the group later for June friendlies against Poland and Portugal. The structural integration of these twelve hungry debutants marks the beginning of a long-term transition phase for Nigerian football.

Head Coach Eric Chelle Names Twelve Uncapped Players in Super Eagles Squad for 2026 Unity Cup

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