•Coach Chelle
Super Eagles coach Eric Chelle has revealed plans to expand his player pool by scouting talents from both the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) and Europe ahead of the 2026 Unity Cup.
Nigeria will defend its title at the Unity Cup, scheduled to take place in London from May 26 to 30, where it will face India, Jamaica and Zimbabwe, reports Vanguard.
Chelle said the tournament will serve as an opportunity to assess fresh talent and 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,” the head coach told NFF Media yesterday.
He also emphasised his commitment to giving opportunities to standout performers in the domestic league.
“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,” Chelle said.
Beyond the Unity Cup, the Super Eagles are also scheduled to face top European sides in friendly matches later in June, including Poland and World Cup-bound Portugal.
Chelle disclosed that he intends to field a strong squad for those high-profile encounters to improve Nigeria’s global standing.
“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,” the Franco-Malian said.
The Unity Cup and subsequent friendlies are expected to play a key role in shaping the team as Chelle continues to rebuild and refine the Super Eagles squad.
