Super Eagles head coach Éric Chelle has unveiled a 27-man squad for the 2026 Unity Cup in London, with several new faces earning their first-ever invitations to the senior national team, Footynaija reports.
The tournament will take place between 26 and 30 May 2026 at The Valley and will feature four countries; Nigeria, India, Jamaica and Zimbabwe.
Nigeria enter the competition as defending champions and will begin their campaign with a semi-final match on 26 May before playing either the final or third-place game on 30 May. The short format means each team is guaranteed at least two matches, giving coaches a chance to test fresh tactical ideas and rotate their squads.
Related Post
Chelle has invited eight attackers, nine midfielders, seven defenders and three goalkeepers. Out of the 27 players selected, 11 are home-based stars from the Nigeria Premier Football League, while 16 play abroad.
Among the foreign-based newcomers are Arthur Okonkwo of Wrexham AFC, Femi Azeez of Millwall, and Owen Oseni from Plymouth Argyle.
AIK winger Zadok Abu Yohanna also received his maiden call-up despite still recovering from a thigh injury. Reports earlier suggested the youngster had not yet spoken with the Nigeria Football Federation, but Chelle has still included him in the squad.
Another notable inclusion is Pisa striker Rafiu Durosinmi, who finally gets his first Super Eagles invitation after a mixed campaign in Italian football.
Chelle also rewarded several standout performers from the NPFL with maiden invitations. Players such as Michael Atata, Obinna Igboke, Chibueze Oputa, Elias Ochobi, Aderemi Adeoye, Tosin Oyedokun and Ayobami Junior all earned their first opportunities with the senior national team after impressive domestic performances.
Despite the large number of newcomers, Chelle still kept experienced stars in the squad to provide leadership and balance. Midfielder Wilfred Ndidi, winger Moses Simon, striker Terem Moffi and midfielder Raphael Onyedika are all included.
2026 Unity Cup: Nigeria’s 27-man Super Eagles roster
Goalkeepers: Francis Uzoho (Omonia FC, Cyprus), Arthur Okonkwo (Wrexham FC, England), Michael (Ikorodu United FC, Nigeria)
Defenders: Emmanuel Fernandez (Rangers FC, Scotland), Chibuike Nwaiwu (Trabzonspor, Turkey), Igho Ogbu (Slavia Prague, Czech Republic), Elias Ochobi (Rivers United, Nigeria), Chibueze Oputa (Rangers FC, Nigeria), Obinna Igboke (Rangers FC, Nigeria), Bruno Onyemaechi (Olympiacos, Greece)
Midfielders: Wilfred Ndidi (Beşiktaş JK, Turkey), Samson Tijani (Dukla Prague, Czech Republic), Raphael Onyedika (Club Brugge, Belgium), Tochukwu Nnadi (Olympique de Marseille, France), Ebenezer Akinsanmiro (Pisa SC, Italy), Alhassan Yusuf (New England Revolution, USA), Aderemi Adeoye (Ikorodu City, Nigeria), Ayobami Adeoye (Shooting Stars, Nigeria), Oyedokun Junior (Ikorodu City, Nigeria)
Forwards: Moses Simon (Paris FC, France), Akor Adams (Sevilla FC, Spain), Philip Otele (Hamburger SV, Germany), Oseni Owen (Plymouth FC, England), Zadok Abu Yohanna (AIK, Sweden), Terem Moffi (FC Porto, Portugal), Rafiu Durosinmi (Pisa SC, Italy), Femi Azeez (Millwall FC, England)
