By Arinzechi Chukwunonso
Head coach, Eric Chelle has named two strong Super Eagles squads for the upcoming Unity Cup invitational tournament in London and high-profile international friendlies against Poland and Portugal next month.
The Malian tactician retained a balanced mix of experienced stars and emerging talents as Nigeria intensifies preparations for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.
Ndidi Leads Eagles to Unity Cup in London
Team captain Wilfred Ndidi headlines the 27-man squad for the Unity Cup tournament scheduled to hold at The Valley between May 26 and 30.
Other notable names in the squad include Francis Uzoho, Moses Simon, Terem Moffi and Akor Adams.
Nigeria will face Zimbabwe in the semi-final on May 26, while Jamaica and India will battle in the second semi-final a day later. Winners from both matches will advance to the final.
Chelle also handed maiden invitations to goalkeeper Arthur Okonkwo, defenders Emmanuel Fernandez and midfielders Tochukwu Nnadi and Ebenezer Akinsanmiro, alongside forward Rafiu Durosinmi.
Several Nigeria Premier Football League stars also earned recognition for impressive performances this season, including Michael Atata, Elias Ochobi, Chibueze Oputa, Aderemi Adeoye and Ayobami Junior.
Osimhen, Lookman Return for European Friendlies
For the prestige friendlies against Poland and Portugal, Chelle recalled top stars including Victor Osimhen, Ademola Lookman, Alex Iwobi and Calvin Bassey in a 24-man squad.
The Super Eagles will take on Poland in Warsaw on June 3 before facing Portugal in Leiria on June 10, in what is expected to be Portugal’s final warm-up fixture before the FIFA World Cup.
Nigeria’s three-time African champions were recently drawn alongside Madagascar, Tanzania and Guinea-Bissau in the qualification race for the next Africa Cup of Nations.
The latest squad announcement underlines Chelle’s determination to build squad depth while maintaining a strong competitive core ahead of crucial international assignments later this year.
27 Super Eagles for 2026 Unity Cup
Goalkeepers
- Francis Uzoho (Omonia FC, Cyprus)
- Arthur Okonkwo (Wrexham FC, England)
- Michael Atata (Ikorodu City)
Defenders
- Bruno Onyemaechi (Olympiakos, Greece)
- Emmanuel Fernandez (Glasgow Rangers, Scotland)
- Chibuike Nwaiwu (Trabzonspor AS, Turkey)
- Igoh Ogbu (Slavia Prague, Czech Republic)
- Obinna Igboke (Enugu Rangers)
- Elias Ochobi (Rivers United)
- Chibueze Oputa (Enugu Rangers)
Midfielders
- Wilfred Ndidi (Besiktas FC, Turkey)
- Raphael Onyedika (Club Brugge, Belgium)
- Tochukwu Nnadi (Olympic Marseille, France)
- Ebenezer Akinsanmiro (Pisa FC, Italy)
- Alhassan Yusuf (New England Revolution, USA)
- Aderemi Adeoye (Ikorodu City)
- Samson Tijani (FK Dukla Prague, Czech Republic)
- Ayobami Junior (Shooting Stars)
- Tosin Oyedokun (Ikorodu City)
Forwards
- Moses Simon (Paris FC, France)
- Akor Adams (Sevilla FC, Spain)
- Philip Otele (Hamburger SV, Germany)
- Owen Oseni (Plymouth FC, England)
- Zadok Abu Yohanna (AIK, Greece)
- Terem Moffi (FC Porto, Portugal)
- Rafiu Durosinmi (Pisa FC, Italy)
- Femi Azeez (Millwall FC, England)
24 Super Eagles for Poland & Portugal Friendlies
Goalkeepers
- Maduka Okoye (Udinese FC, Italy)
- Arthur Okonkwo (Wrexham FC, England)
- Francis Uzoho (Omonia FC, Cyprus)
Defenders
- Oluwasemilogo Ajayi (Hull City, England)
- Calvin Bassey (Fulham FC, England)
- Bright Osayi-Samuel (Birmingham City, England)
- Bruno Onyemaechi (Olympiakos, Greece)
- Zaidu Sanusi (FC Porto, Portugal)
- Igoh Ogbu (Slavia Prague, Czech Republic)
- Emmanuel Fernandez (Glasgow Rangers, Scotland)
Midfielders
- Alex Iwobi (Fulham FC, England)
- Frank Onyeka (Coventry FC, England)
- Wilfred Ndidi (Besiktas FC, Turkey)
- Raphael Onyedika (Club Brugge, Belgium)
- Fisayo Dele-Bashiru (SS Lazio, Italy)
- Tochukwu Nnadi (Olympic Marseille, France)
- Alhassan Yusuf (New England Revolution, USA)
Forwards
- Ademola Lookman (Atletico Madrid, Spain)
- Samuel Chukwueze (Fulham FC, England)
- Moses Simon (Paris FC, France)
- Paul Onuachu (Trabzonspor AS, Turkey)
- Akor Adams (Sevilla FC, Spain)
- Victor Osimhen (Galatasaray FC, Turkey)
- Terem Moffi (FC Porto, Portugal)
