Eric Chelle has named a 25-man experimental squad for the Unity Cup 2026 — no Osimhen, no Lookman, but plenty of intrigue. Here is our full squad breakdown.
Super Eagles coach Eric Chelle has named his squad for the 2026 Unity Cup in London and it is one of the most experimental Nigeria panels in recent memory. With the Super Eagles Unity Cup 2026 squad deliberately shorn of its biggest stars — Victor Osimhen, Ademola Lookman, Wilfred Ndidi and Calvin Bassey are all absent — this tournament represents a genuine open audition for the next generation of Nigerian international footballers. Chelle sees the Unity Cup, which runs from May 26 to 30 at The Valley in Charlton, as vital preparation for the AFCON 2027 qualifying campaign that kicks off in September.
The squad is a blend of 19 foreign-based players and six NPFL domestic selections. Several names will be unfamiliar to even committed Nigeria supporters. Here is a full breakdown of the squad by position, the biggest talking points, and the players who have the most to gain from a strong performance in London.
Arthur Okonkwo of Wrexham is the standout name between the sticks. The 22-year-old has been one of the Championship’s best goalkeepers this season and represents exactly the kind of young, high-ceiling talent the Super Eagles need to develop behind Uzoho. Francis Uzoho of Omonia Nicosia is also in the squad and brings his considerable international experience as backup and mentor.
Chelle will likely rotate both goalkeepers across the two matches Nigeria play at the tournament. Okonkwo should start against Zimbabwe in the semifinal. A strong showing from Okonkwo in London could finally establish him as the undisputed number one in waiting — something the position has lacked since Carl Ikeme’s illness forced his retirement.
The defensive unit is an interesting mix of established Super Eagles figures and fresh recruits. Felix Agu of Werder Bremen has been a reliable left-back option across multiple Chelle squads and should captain or lead this backline on experience. Zaidu Sanusi of FC Porto is another experienced option on the flank, though his recent injury setbacks mean this tournament carries added significance for his international standing.
Among the new faces, Igoh Ogbu of Slavia Prague is perhaps the most exciting. The centre-back has been outstanding in the Czech top flight and has earned his call-up on merit after Chelle personally watched him play during his pre-tournament scouting work. Chibuike Nwaiwu of Trabzonspor and Bruno Onyemaechi of Olympiacos complete a centre-back group that is unfamiliar as a unit but individually capable. Chelle has confirmed that one AFCON defender dropped out through injury and was replaced by Agu, which reshuffled the defensive composition slightly.
Emmanuel Fernandez of Rangers brings a British football physicality that could be useful against Zimbabwe’s direct approach.
Raphael Onyedika of Club Brugge is the most recognisable midfielder in this squad and will be expected to take control of the tournament. The defensive midfielder has been one of the best in the Belgian Pro League this season and was linked with several top European clubs in the January window. His ability to win the ball and recycle possession quickly will be the foundation on which Nigeria’s attacks are built at The Valley.
Tochukwu Nnadi of Marseille adds an experienced and combative presence alongside Onyedika. Nnadi played at AFCON 2025 and knows what is required at international level, which will be valuable in a squad full of newcomers. Samson Tijjani of Dukla Prague brings energy from the Czech league, while Emmanuel Dennis of Göztepe in Turkey — a player who famously scored for Watford in the Premier League — is perhaps the most intriguing figure in the entire squad given his return to the international fold after a long absence.
The attacking department is where the most eyes will be watching. Joseph Arumala of Ikorodu City is the NPFL’s top scorer this season and is the headline domestic inclusion in Chelle’s squad. The forward’s prolific campaign has made him impossible to ignore, and the Unity Cup gives him a platform to prove that his form at home translates to international level. If Arumala scores in London, he will be impossible to leave out of future squads.
Ebenezer Akinsamiro and Salim Fago are the AFCON 2025 veterans in the forward line and both bring a level of international experience that should help the less familiar names around them. Akinsamiro’s directness from wide areas and Fago’s ability to play off the shoulder of the last defender are qualities that will trouble Zimbabwe’s defensive structure.
Three new names have generated significant excitement ahead of the tournament. Zadok Yohanna, a teenager with AIK in Sweden, has been one of the most talked-about young forwards in Scandinavian football this season and his call-up feels like a marker that Chelle has spotted something special. Femi Azeez of Millwall brings Championship experience and an eye for goal, while Plymouth’s Owen Oseni — whose inclusion Chelle was required to defend publicly — offers athleticism and pressing quality that the coach values.
Shooting Stars’ Abayomi Junior rounds out the forward options and represents the NPFL’s continued importance as a talent pipeline in Chelle’s squad-building philosophy.
Nigeria’s failure to qualify for the 2026 World Cup has opened up a difficult period for Nigerian football. The NFF and Chelle are both under pressure to demonstrate that the Super Eagles remain a force in African football and that a pipeline of talent exists to sustain long-term competitiveness. The Unity Cup squad is the most visible answer to that question so far.
AFCON 2027 qualifying begins with the draw on May 19, 2026 — just days before the tournament starts. Matchday 1 and 2 fixtures fall in the September-October 2026 FIFA window. For the players in this squad, performing well in London could be the difference between being in the AFCON qualifying squad in September and watching from the outside. The stakes for each individual are real, even if the tournament itself is a friendly competition.
Chelle has been clear that this squad is not a consolation prize. It is a deliberate strategy to expand the player pool and identify 10 to 15 names who can rotate into his strongest team across the next 18 months. If the Unity Cup fulfils that function — discovering the likes of an Arumala or a Yohanna ready to step up — it will have done its job.
