Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle has announced his squads for the 2026 Unity Cup and the June international friendlies against Poland and Portugal. The Super Eagles will defend their Unity Cup title in a four-nation tournament featuring Zimbabwe, India, and last year's finalist Jamaica, scheduled from May 27 to 31 in Charlton.
Nigeria will also play high-profile friendly matches against two European nations during the FIFA international window on June 3 and 10. According to the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Chelle named separate squads for these matches, focusing the team's key strength on the friendlies. Some players featured in both lists, including captain Wilfred Ndidi and Arthur Okonkwo, who recently switched his international allegiance. However, number one goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali was absent, which was unsurprising as he has been without a club since leaving Chippa United.
As Chelle promised, 12 new players were invited, seven of whom are from the Nigeria Premier Football League, including Shooting Stars' Ayobami Junior. Here are the notable absentees from the two squads.
1. Taiwo Awoniyi
Awoniyi has struggled with injuries and a lack of form recently, causing him to miss the last two Africa Cup of Nations tournaments. He has not featured for the national team since October 2024. However, he has returned to form under Vitor Pereira, scoring important goals that helped Nottingham Forest avoid relegation, including two goals against Chelsea. Despite this, he was not called up for the Unity Cup.
2. Kelechi Iheanacho
Iheanacho struggled in his club career after leaving Leicester City as a free agent in 2024. He failed to make an impact at Sevilla and during his loan spell at Middlesbrough in the EFL Championship. However, he has rediscovered his form and helped Celtic win the Scottish Premiership. Many believe this should earn him a call-up, his first since the 2025 Unity Cup final win over Jamaica in Brentford.
3. Ola Aina
Aina has been dealing with injuries since suffering a hamstring tear during the 1-1 draw against South Africa in September 2025, which forced him to miss AFCON 2025. According to OwnGoal Nigeria, he is currently nursing another muscle injury. His absence is not due to frustration expressed at the NFF President over the poor pitch in South Africa where he got injured.
4. Ryan Alebiosu
Alebiosu replaced Aina in the Super Eagles squad for AFCON 2025 and featured against Uganda before suffering a nasty leg injury that kept him out of the tournament. He played in all matches for Blackburn Rovers after returning from Morocco but was surprisingly left out of both squads, especially given Aina's absence.
5. Benjamin Fredrick
Fredrick broke into the Super Eagles scene at the 2025 Unity Cup after being invited from Brentford's academy to fill the void left by player withdrawals. He instantly became a crucial member of Eric Chelle's team but unfortunately got injured during training at Dender and missed AFCON 2025. As of April, he returned to Brentford fully fit but was excluded from the squad.
Robert Lewandowski sent a message to the Super Eagles ahead of the June friendly. The Polish striker confirmed he will be available for the match, despite hinting at international retirement after Poland failed to qualify for the World Cup.
