By: Chioma Madonna Ndukwu
Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle has left out key forwards Victor Osimhen and Ademola Lookman from Nigeria’s squad for the upcoming Unity Cup and a friendly against Russia.
The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) unveiled the full list of invited players on Wednesday, confirming the absence of the in-form attackers. Both players will miss Nigeria’s fixtures against Ghana in the Unity Cup and the high-profile clash against Russia.
In a surprising twist, goalkeeper Maduka Okoye returns to the national team setup alongside midfielder Frank Onyeka, striker Kelechi Iheanacho, and veteran captain Ahmed Musa.
A strong contingent from the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) features in Chelle’s squad, including Junior Harrison Nduka — captain of both Remo Stars and the CHAN-bound Super Eagles B — Ifeanyi Onyebuchi and Collins Ugwueze (Enugu Rangers), Sodiq Ismail (Remo Stars), and Waliu Ojetoye (Ikorodu City).
Also selected are Saviour Isaac (Enugu Rangers), Papa Daniel Mustapha (Niger Tornadoes), Sikiru Alimi (Remo Stars), and Adamu Abubakar (Plateau United).
These home-based players will compete for places alongside international regulars such as Moses Simon, Stanley Nwabali, Wilfred Ndidi, Samuel Chukwueze, Cyriel Dessers, Nathan Tella, Tolu Arokodare, and Iheanacho.
Captain Ahmed Musa will lead the team into the Unity Cup, a four-nation tournament taking place from May 26 to 31, featuring Nigeria, Ghana, Jamaica, and Trinidad & Tobago.
Following that, the Super Eagles will travel to Moscow for a friendly against Russia on June 6 at the iconic Luzhniki Stadium — marking the first-ever senior international meeting between the two nations.
Coach Chelle emphasized that the Unity Cup will serve as a testing ground for new players and strategies:
“This tournament allows us to experiment with fresh faces and tactical adjustments as we prepare for the World Cup qualifiers in September and October.”
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