Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle has omitted star forwards Victor Osimhen and Ademola Lookman from the squad set to face Ghana in the upcoming Unity Cup.
This development was confirmed on Wednesday afternoon following the release of the official squad list by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF). Both Osimhen and Lookman are also set to miss Nigeria’s international friendly against Russia.
However, there’s a recall for several key players, including goalkeeper Maduka Okoye, midfielders Frank Onyeka and Kelechi Iheanacho, as well as team captain Ahmed Musa.
The squad features a strong contingent from the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL), with Junior Harrison Nduka—skipper of both Remo Stars and the Super Eagles B team—making the list. Other NPFL players include Ifeanyi Onyebuchi and Collins Ugwueze (Enugu Rangers), Sodiq Ismail (Remo Stars), Waliu Ojetoye (Ikorodu City), Saviour Isaac (Enugu Rangers), Papa Daniel Mustapha (Niger Tornadoes), Sikiru Alimi (Remo Stars), and Adamu Abubakar (Plateau United).
These home-based talents will vie for places alongside more established international stars such as Moses Simon, Stanley Nwabali, Wilfred Ndidi, Samuel Chukwueze, Cyriel Dessers, Nathan Tella, Tolu Arokodare, and Kelechi Iheanacho.
Captain Ahmed Musa is expected to lead the squad in the Unity Cup, scheduled to run from May 26 to 31. The tournament will feature four nations: Nigeria, Ghana, Jamaica, and Trinidad & Tobago.
Nigeria will then travel to Moscow to play Russia in a high-profile international friendly at the iconic Luzhniki Stadium on June 6, marking the first-ever senior match between the two countries.
Speaking about the Unity Cup, Chelle said the tournament presents a valuable opportunity to evaluate new players and tactical setups ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers. “This competition allows us to test a few fresh faces in different positions and strengthen the team in preparation for crucial qualifiers in September and October,” he said.