Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle is ready to expand his squad depth as the team prepares for the 2026 Unity Cup.
The coach revealed his plans to use the upcoming tournament to test new talents and build a stronger pool of players for the national team.
Exploring New Talent for the Super Eagles
The team will head to London to defend their Unity Cup title at Charlton Athletic’s stadium, The Valley, from May 26 to 30.
During this period, the coach intends to look closely at players who can add value to the squad. Chelle confirmed that he is searching across different regions to find the best fit for his system.
“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,” Chelle told the Super Eagles media team.
Watching Top Stars in the NPFL
While the search continues abroad, the domestic league remains a vital part of the coach’s recruitment strategy.
Local players have a major opportunity to impress the coaching staff before the season ends.
Chelle emphasised that the door is open for standout performers playing at home in the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL).
“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.”
The tournament will see the team face Zimbabwe in the semi-final, while India and Jamaica battle in the other bracket.
Following the Unity Cup, the Super Eagles will shift focus to high-profile friendly matches against Poland and Portugal in June.
For those matches, Chelle plans to stick with his core squad.
“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 up the global ranking if we win them.”