Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle has named 12 New players in Nigeria’s 27-man squad for the 2026 Unity Cup in London as part of efforts to discover new talents for the national team.
Chelle had earlier stated that the Unity Cup would serve as an opportunity to test new players from the Nigeria Premier Football League and foreign-based players of Nigerian descent, while keeping his regular stars for the June friendlies against Poland and Portugal.
Since April, the Franco-Malian coach has travelled across Nigeria watching NPFL matches in cities including Ikenne, Ibadan, Lagos and Enugu to identify standout performers.
Among the new players invited is goalkeeper Arthur Okonkwo, the former Arsenal academy player who recently committed his international future to Nigeria after receiving FIFA clearance. The 24-year-old Wrexham goalkeeper is also the only debutant included in the squad for the June friendlies.
Ikorodu City goalkeeper Michael Atata earned his first call-up after keeping 16 clean sheets this season.
In defence, Chelle handed maiden invitations to Obinna Igboke, Chibueze Oputa and Elias Ochobi, while midfielders Aderemi Adeoye, Ayobami Junior and Tosin Oyedokun also made the squad.
The attack features fresh faces such as Irish-born striker Owen Oseni, Sweden-based teenager Zadok Yohanna, Rafiu Durosinmi and winger Femi Azeez, who recently chose Nigeria ahead of England and Spain after an impressive season with Millwall.
Several players also returned to the national team setup after long absences, including Samson Tijani, who was last invited in 2020, alongside Chibuike Nwaiwu, Emmanuel Fernandez and Philip Otele.
Nigeria will face Zimbabwe in the Unity Cup semi-final at The Valley on May 26, with the winner advancing to the final against either Jamaica or India.
However, the matches will not count as official FIFA international caps because the tournament falls outside the FIFA international calendar. The Unity Cup will run from May 26 to 30 before the official international window opens in June.
For the June friendlies against Poland and Portugal, Chelle retained experienced stars including Victor Osimhen, Ademola Lookman, Alex Iwobi and Wilfred Ndidi.
