NFF confirms a refreshed Super Eagles squad for the upcoming Unity Cup with home-based and diaspora players, while Victor Osimhen and other senior stars are left out as Eric Chelle scouts new talents.
Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) General Secretary, Mohammed Sanusi, has confirmed that fans should expect a significantly refreshed Super Eagles squad for the upcoming Unity Cup, with major changes to the team selection.
According to Sanusi, the squad for the tournament will mainly consist of players from the Nigerian Professional Football League (NPFL) as well as eligible Nigerian players based abroad. The idea is to give more opportunities to fresh talents who have not yet featured for the national team.
He made it clear that some of the country’s biggest football stars, including Napoli striker Victor Osimhen and other established senior players, will not be included in the Unity Cup squad.
Sanusi explained that the Unity Cup is designed not just for competition but also as a platform to discover and integrate new Nigerian talents from both local and international football systems.
He noted that Nigeria has a wide pool of untapped talent, both within the domestic league and among players born in the diaspora who are yet to be fully integrated into the Super Eagles setup.
In his words, the selection process will focus on players of Nigerian origin whether they are playing in the country or abroad, with special attention given to those who have not previously been called up to the national team.
The NFF official also emphasized that many home-based players will get the chance to prove themselves alongside promising talents from outside Nigeria, especially those with Nigerian heritage born overseas.
On the coaching side, Super Eagles manager Eric Chelle has already begun active scouting ahead of the tournament. Reports indicate that he has been closely monitoring players both in Nigeria and across Europe as part of his rebuilding plan.
Chelle has also reportedly held discussions with representatives of Millwall forward Femi Azeez, who has been impressive in his performances this season and is seen as one of the exciting prospects under consideration.
In addition, the Super Eagles coach has been spotted at several Nigerian Professional Football League venues, continuing his efforts to identify in-form domestic players who can strengthen the national team setup.
The Unity Cup is expected to serve as an important platform for reshaping the Super Eagles squad, offering a blend of home-based stars and emerging international talents as Nigeria looks to build a more competitive and balanced team for the future.
Conclusion:
With Mohammed Sanusi confirming a youth-focused and refreshed squad policy and Eric Chelle actively scouting new talent, the upcoming Unity Cup is set to be a major turning point for the Super Eagles as Nigeria begins a new phase of squad rebuilding.
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