Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle has released his 25-player selection for the upcoming 2025 Unity Cup, to be held at the Gtech Community Stadium in Brentford, West London.
The squad is a blend of international regulars and promising domestic talents, notably missing stars Victor Osimhen (Galatasaray) and Ademola Lookman (Atalanta).
Despite their absence, the team still boasts key players like FC Nantes winger Moses Simon, Leicester City midfielder Wilfred Ndidi, and dependable shot-stopper Stanley Nwabali of Chippa United. Veteran striker Ahmed Musa also makes a return, representing Kano Pillars.
Chelle has shown faith in the Nigeria Premier Football League by inviting several home-based athletes, including Remo Stars’ Junior Harrison Nduka and Sodiq Ismaila, Enugu Rangers’ Ifeanyi Onyebuchi and Saviour Isaac, and Waliu Ojetoye of Ikorodu City.
These players will line up alongside established internationals like Kelechi Iheanacho, Cyriel Dessers, and Samuel Chukwueze.
The tournament features Nigeria, Ghana, Jamaica, and Trinidad & Tobago. Action kicks off on May 27 with Trinidad & Tobago versus Jamaica, while Nigeria renews its age-old rivalry with Ghana on May 28. The final and third-place fixtures are scheduled for May 31.
Coach Chelle expressed optimism, saying the tournament offers a vital platform to test new formations and assess fresh talent ahead of competitive fixtures later in the year.
Additionally, Chelle has named a 21-man squad for a friendly match against Russia, set for June 6 at Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow.
This list includes notable returns such as captain William Troost-Ekong, Olaoluwa Aina, Bright Osayi-Samuel, and Bayer Leverkusen forward Victor Boniface.