Yesterday, Super Eagles Coach Eric Chelle explained that he decided to choose 10 home-based players in the squad billed to play in the Unity Cup, and the international friendly against Russia because he wants to make the national team more competitive.

  Nigeria will feature in the Unity Cup, which also involves Ghana, Jamaica, and Trinidad and Tobago. The competition, which begins today, ends on May 31, at the Gtech Stadium, in London.

   Twenty Super Eagles’ players and their officials, as well as backroom staff, are already in London ahead of the match aimed at keeping the national team in tip-top shape for the remaining 2026 World Cup qualifiers later this year.

  At the team’s training session yesterday were Ahmed Musa, Moses Simon, Kelechi Iheanacho, Semi Ajayi, Frank Onyeka, Nathan Tella, Cyriel Dessers, Felix Agu, Igho Ogbu, Wilfred Ndidi.

Bruno Onyemaechi, Junior Nduka, Sadiq Ismaila, Waliu Ojetoye and Ifeanyi Onyebuchi. Others include Papa Mustapha, Saviour Isaac, Collins Ogwueze, Sikiru Alimi, and Abubakar Adamu.

  Thenff.com said that goalkeepers Stanley Nwabali, Maduka Okoye, and Amas Obasogie, as well as Chrisantus Uche, Samuel Chukwueze, and Tolu Arokodare, were expected to join their mates in London yesterday.

  Speaking on his project, Chelle said the many talented players available for selection has made his job exciting, but a bit difficult, adding that the avalanche of stars will make the team more competitive.

  “We have many players in Nigeria and we need to give all of them the chance to show what they can bring to the team. We are focused on our project… we want to build a group, create an identity, and put in the players who can fit into the project quickly,” he said, adding: “The Unity Cup is a great tournament and part of the process to try these new players and build on the new system.”

  Chelle said he scouted the new players after watching some Nigerian Premier Football League (NPFL) games, and “I think that they have qualities that can change our game. These 10 players will bring new intensity to the system. You know Ahmed Musa, who is a great player. He can bring his quality and experience to the group.”

  The coach said he sees some similarities between his former side, Mali and Nigeria, saying: “In Mali, we were strong in the midfield; the Nigerian team are also strong in the midfield but very strong in attack.”

  The Unity Cup, which aims to foster cultural ties and footballing excellence among African and Caribbean nations, will be held at the Gtech Community Stadium in Brentford, United Kingdom.

   The Super Eagles will kick off their Unity Cup tournament with an opening game against rivals Ghana on May 28, which is a semifinal match, and meet the winner/loser in the second game between Trinidad and Jamaica in the final or third place game on May 31.