Coach Eric Sekou Chelle has named ten players who are set to receive their first call-ups to the Super Eagles for the 2026 Unity Cup mini-tournament, as well as a pair of international friendlies against Poland and Portugal next month.
Debuts in the squad for the Unity Cup and friendlies
Chelle’s selections include a mix of overseas-based talents and Nigerian-based performers, with the London-hosted Unity Cup forming the centerpiece of the group’s early preparation.
- Among the foreign-based debutants, goalkeeper Arthur Okonkwo of Wrexham FC earns his maiden Nigeria call-up.
- Defender Emmanuel Fernandez from Glasgow Rangers is also handed his first national team invitation.
- Forward Rafiu Durosinmi of Pisa FC in Italy’s Serie B receives his first Super Eagles opportunity.
Home-based first call-ups
Seven players based in Nigeria have also been drafted into Chelle’s plans for the Unity Cup in London, bringing fresh options to the 27-man pool.
- Goalkeeper Michael Atata is included, alongside Rivers United’s defenders Obinna Igboke, Chibueze Oputa and Elias Ochobi.
- Midfielders Aderemi Adeoye, Ayobami Junior and Tosin Oyedokun complete the group of first-time invitees into the Unity Cup squad.
Unity Cup opener and Nigeria’s title defence
Nigeria will begin their campaign as holders after winning the Unity Cup at Brentford Stadium last year. Their title defence gets underway against Zimbabwe at Charlton Athletic’s The Valley on May 26.
Poland and Portugal friendlies: experienced core retained
After the Unity Cup, Chelle will keep faith with a number of well-known figures for the matches against Poland and Portugal in June, naming a 24-man squad for the trip.
- Captain Wilfred Ndidi is retained, alongside Victor Osimhen, Ademola Lookman and Alex Iwobi among the prominent faces in the group.
Nigeria begin their European warm-up schedule by facing Poland in Warsaw on June 3. They then travel to Leiria for the Portugal fixture on June 10, which is described as the hosts’ final outing before the FIFA World Cup finals.
Full squad lists and next steps
The summer programme also aligns with Nigeria’s preparations for their AFCON qualifying campaign, with the team drawn against Madagascar, Tanzania and Guinea Bissau.
27 Super Eagles for 2026 London Unity Cup
- Goalkeepers: Francis Uzoho (Omonia FC), Arthur Okonkwo (Wrexham FC), Michael Atata (Ikorodu City)
- Defenders: Bruno Onyemaechi (Olympiakos), Emmanuel Fernandez (Glasgow Rangers), Chibuike Nwaiwu (Trabzonspor AS, Turkey), Igoh Ogbu (Slavia Prague, Czech Republic), Obinna Igboke (Enugu Rangers), Elias Ochobi (Rivers United), Chibueze Oputa (Enugu Rangers)
- Midfielders: Wilfred Ndidi (Besiktas), Raphael Onyedika (Club Brugge), Tochukwu Nnadi (Olympic Marseille), Ebenezer Akinsanmiro (Pisa), Alhassan Yusuf (New England Revolution), Aderemi Adeoye (Ikorodu City), Samson Tijani (FK Dukla Prague), Ayobami Junior (Shooting Stars), Tosin Oyedokun (Ikorodu City)
- Forwards: Simon Moses (Paris FC), Akor Adams (Sevilla), Philip Otele (Hamburger SV), Owen Oseni (Plymouth), Zadok Abu Yohanna (AIK), Terem Moffi (FC Porto), Rafiu Durosinmi (Pisa), Femi Azeez (Millwall)
24 Super Eagles for Poland & Portugal
- Goalkeepers: Maduka Okoye (Udinese FC), Arthur Okonkwo (Wrexham FC), Francis Uzoho (Omonia FC)
- Defenders: Oluwasemilogo Ajayi (Hull City), Calvin Bassey (Fulham), Bright Osayi-Samuel (Birmingham City), Bruno Onyemaechi (Olympiakos), Zaidu Sanusi (FC Porto, Portugal), Igoh Ogbu (Slavia Prague), Emmanuel Fernandez (Glasgow Rangers)
- Midfielders: Alex Iwobi (Fulham), Frank Onyeka (Coventry), Wilfred Ndidi (Besiktas), Raphael Onyedika (Club Brugge), Fisayo Dele-Bashiru (SS Lazio), Tochukwu Nnadi (Olympic Marseille), Alhassan Yusuf (New England Revolution)
- Forwards: Ademola Lookman (Atletico Madrid), Samuel Chukwueze (Fulham), Moses Simon (Paris FC, France), Paul Onuachu (Trabzonspor), Akor Adams (Sevilla), Victor Osimhen (Galatasaray), Terem Moffi (FC Porto)
