Some major Super Eagles names were nowhere to be seen on the training pitch as Nigeria stepped up preparations for Saturday’s Unity Cup final against Jamaica, Footynaija.com reports.
Leicester City’s Wilfred Ndidi and West Brom’s Semi Ajayi both sat out Thursday’s session at the GTech Community Stadium, sparking questions just a day after Nigeria’s hard-fought 2–1 win over Ghana.
Reports indicate that the midfield engine and the defensive powerhouse were among a select few players who opted out of full training. With less than 24 hours to go before Nigeria lock horns with a fast, physical Jamaican side, the timing of their absence could not go unnoticed.
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Most of the squad, especially those who featured against the Black Stars, took part in light recovery drills. But the real eye-catcher came from an unexpected source. As revealed in another report by Footynaija.com, step forward is Benjamin Fredrick, the 2023 U20 World Cup standout, who now plays for Brentford, joined the session despite not being listed in the original squad.
Still only 20, the former ABS Ilorin man looked sharp and confident, joining Eric Chelle’s tactical drills like a player with something to prove. His participation in Thursday’s session suggests he could be in line for a surprise appearance come Saturday.
Eric Chelle ran a session heavy on structure and sharp movement, with the emphasis clearly on game intelligence over intensity. But there are questions. Are Ndidi and Ajayi carrying knocks? Or is this a calculated move to manage minutes and protect tired legs before the big one?
For now, there’s no official word. What’s certain is that Nigeria will need every experience and composure when they face a Jamaican side fresh off a 3–2 thriller over Trinidad and Tobago.
