Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle has outlined plans to widen his player selection by scouting talents from both the Nigeria Premier Football League and Europe ahead of the 2026 Unity Cup.
Nigeria will defend its title at the tournament, scheduled to take place in London from May 26 to 30, where they are set to face India, Jamaica, and Zimbabwe.
Speaking ahead of the competition, Chelle said the Unity Cup will serve as a testing ground for new players and an opportunity to strengthen the squad.
“The Unity Cup provides a platform to assess new players. I will comb Europe and invite new players of Nigerian descent, alongside those who were previously called up but never got the chance to feature,” he said.
The coach also stressed his commitment to giving opportunities to standout performers in the domestic league, noting that NPFL players remain firmly in his plans.
“Top players from the Nigeria Premier Football League will also be considered, as I will be watching a number of domestic league games from now until the end of the season,” he added.
Beyond the Unity Cup, the Super Eagles are lined up for high-profile international friendlies in June against Poland national football team and Portugal national football team.
Chelle revealed that he intends to field a strong squad for those matches, describing them as crucial to improving Nigeria’s global ranking.
“For the big warm-up games in June against Poland and Portugal, I will feature my first team players. These are games that can push us up the global ranking if we win them,” he said.
The upcoming fixtures are expected to play a key role in shaping the team as Chelle continues efforts to rebuild and refine the Super Eagles squad ahead of future competitions.
