The Nigeria Football Federation is set to conduct the draw ceremony for the national phase of the 2026 President's Federation Cup on Friday at its Secretariat in Abuja.

The draw follows the conclusion of the national playoff round, which saw four teams eliminated in the women’s competition and six sides knocked out in the men’s category.

A total of 32 teams will compete in the women’s tournament, while 64 clubs will feature in the men’s competition.

In the men’s category, defending champions Kwara United headline the list of contenders alongside prominent sides such as Shooting Stars Sports Club, Enugu Rangers, Bendel Insurance, Nasarawa United, Ikorodu City, Rivers United, and Barau FC.

For the women’s competition, reigning champions Rivers Angels will be joined by strong challengers, including Nasarawa Amazons, FC Robo Queens, Ibom Angels, Bayelsa Queens, and Naija Ratels.

The President Federation Cup remains Nigeria’s premier knockout football competition, featuring clubs from across the country in both men’s and women’s divisions.

Other qualified women’s teams include Ahudiyannem Queens and Abia Angels, alongside representatives from Edo State, Lagos, and other regions.

In the men’s category, former African champions Enyimba FC, along with several academy and grassroots sides, will also contest for the title.

The draw ceremony will determine the full fixtures and competition pathway for this year’s edition of the tournament.

Super Eagles head coach Éric Chelle has further strengthened his squad for the upcoming Unity Cup in London with the addition of two players as preparations intensify for the invitational tournament, Nigeriasoccernet.com reports.

The Nigerian tactician had initially unveiled a 27-man squad for the competition, but has now drafted in Collins Yira Sor and Tijani Al-Ameen ahead of the team’s departure to England.

Sor, who currently plays for K.R.C. Genk, returns to the national team setup after previously featuring in friendly matches against Iran and Jordan in March. His inclusion is expected to provide added pace and attacking depth on the wings as Chelle continues evaluating his options ahead of future international assignments.

Meanwhile, defender Tijani Al-Ameen of Shooting Stars Sports Club has earned his maiden senior national team invitation following a string of impressive displays in the Nigeria Premier Football League.

His call-up underlines Chelle’s commitment to rewarding standout performers from the domestic league while expanding his defensive options ahead of upcoming competitions.

However, the Super Eagles will be without winger Zadok Yohanna after his Swedish club, AIK Fotboll, refused to release him for the tournament.

Yohanna’s absence created a gap in the attacking department, with Sor’s late inclusion appearing to address that setback.

The Super Eagles are expected to depart for London on Friday as preparations continue for the Unity Cup, a tournament Chelle intends to use in assessing tactical systems, squad balance, and player performances ahead of Nigeria’s forthcoming international fixtures.

Zimbabwe’s senior national team, the Warriors, have arrived in Birmingham, England, ahead of their Unity Cup semi-final showdown against Nigeria’s Super Eagles, Nigeriasoccernet.com reports.

The Zimbabwean delegation landed in England on Thursday as preparations gathered momentum for the highly anticipated encounter scheduled to take place in London.

The Warriors will face the Super Eagles in the semi-final of the Unity Cup at the Valley Ground, with both nations targeting a place in the tournament’s final.

Following their arrival, Zimbabwe is expected to begin training sessions immediately, with the coaching crew set to fine-tune tactics and strategies ahead of the crucial fixture against the three-time African champions.

Nigeria’s Super Eagles have also continued preparations for the competition, with several invited players already reporting to camp as head coach Eric Chelle assesses his squad ahead of the tournament.

The men’s Round of 64 fixtures of the 2026 President Federation Cup delivered entertaining action across different centres, with emphatic victories, penalty shootout drama, and walkover results dominating the opening round, Nigeriasoccernet.com reports.

Among the standout results, Shooting Stars Sports Club claimed a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Kebbi United, while Akwa United cruised to a comfortable 3-0 win against Wilbros FC.

Rivers United also progressed after defeating G12 FC 2-0, while Rangers International edged past Godswill Akpabio FC with a narrow 1-0 victory.

Former champions Enyimba FC produced one of the biggest wins of the round after thrashing El-Sharma FC 4-0 to book their place in the next stage.

Several fixtures went the distance and were eventually decided on penalties. Kogi United stunned Lobi Stars 8-7 on penalties after a goalless draw, while Bida Lions eliminated Beyond Limits FA 4-3 on penalties following a 1-1 draw in regulation time.

Kwara United also needed spot-kicks to overcome Sporting Supreme U19 after a 2-2 draw, eventually winning 4-2 in the shootout.

Elsewhere, Plateau United defeated Ahudiannem FC 2-1, while Nasarawa United secured a 3-1 victory over Westgate FC.

Several teams also progressed via walkovers, including Mighty Jets, FC Basira, Gombe United, Warinje FC, and Jigawa Golden Stars.

The Round of 64 action will conclude on Thursday with the remaining fixtures scheduled in Anyigba and Makurdi.

English Championship side Wrexham A.F.C. have congratulated Nigerian goalkeeper Arthur Okonkwo after reports emerged of his invitation to the Super Eagles squad for the upcoming Unity Cup in London, Nigeriasoccernet.com reports.

Although the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) is yet to officially unveil the squad list, Wrexham confirmed the development on Tuesday through a statement shared on the club’s official social media platforms.

“Congratulations to Arthur Okonkwo on receiving his first call-up to the Nigeria squad ahead of the Unity Cup,” the club wrote.

The 23-year-old goalkeeper has enjoyed an impressive campaign with Wrexham and is now expected to be part of the Super Eagles squad for the tournament scheduled to take place later this month in London.

Okonkwo’s anticipated inclusion is seen as a major milestone in his career, with the Unity Cup expected to provide head coach Eric Chelle an opportunity to assess several new and emerging players ahead of future international assignments.

The tournament will also serve as part of Nigeria’s preparations for upcoming competitions, including the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers and the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations campaign.

Wrexham supporters and Nigerian football fans will now be eager to see whether the former Arsenal academy goalkeeper can make a strong impression if handed his senior international debut during the competition.

Nigeria’s national football team has been drawn in Group L alongside Madagascar, Guinea-Bissau, and co-hosts Tanzania for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers, Nigeriasoccernet.com reports.

The draw ceremony was conducted by the Confederation of African Football in Cairo on Tuesday, officially setting the stage for the qualification campaign for the tournament scheduled to be hosted by Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania under the “PAMOJA 2027” initiative.

A total of 48 countries were placed into 12 groups of four teams each, with the top sides progressing to the continental championship, billed to run from June 19 to July 17, 2027.

Nigeria entered the draw as one of the continent’s top-seeded nations following the Super Eagles’ third-place finish at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.

Group L is expected to attract attention due to the presence of Tanzania, who have already secured automatic qualification as one of the tournament’s hosts. Despite qualifying automatically, CAF regulations require host nations to participate in the qualifiers.

The Super Eagles will now begin preparations for the campaign as they target another successful AFCON qualification run.

Full AFCON 2027 Qualifying Groups

Group A: Morocco, Gabon, Niger Republic, Lesotho

Group B: Egypt, Angola, Malawi, South Sudan

Group C: Ivory Coast, Ghana, Somalia, Gambia

Group D: South Africa, Guinea, Eritrea, Kenya

Group E: DR Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Sierra Leone, Zimbabwe

Group F: Burkina Faso, Benin Republic, Mauritania, Central African Republic

Group G: Cameroon, Comoros, Namibia, Congo

Group H: Tunisia, Uganda, Libya, Botswana

Group I: Algeria, Zambia, Togo, Burundi

Group J: Senegal, Ethiopia, Mozambique, Sudan

Group K: Mali, Cape Verde, Rwanda, Liberia

Group L: Nigeria, Madagascar, Guinea-Bissau, Tanzania

CAF has confirmed that qualification matches will be played during multiple FIFA international windows later this year.

The 2027 tournament will also mark the return of the Africa Cup of Nations to East Africa for the first time in decades and the first edition to be jointly hosted by three nations in the region.

Countries under the Council of Southern Africa Football Associations are reportedly preparing a combined bid to host the 2028 Africa Cup of Nations, NigeriaSoccernet.com reports.

The proposed bid brings together South Africa, Botswana, Zimbabwe, and Namibia in a regional partnership aimed at securing the hosting rights for Africa’s biggest football tournament.

Under the current plan, South Africa is expected to take the lead role as the main host, staging the bulk of the matches, while Botswana, Zimbabwe, and Namibia would each host selected fixtures across the competition.

The joint approach reflects a growing global trend where major tournaments are shared across multiple nations, helping to reduce infrastructure pressure while promoting regional cooperation and development.

If approved, the bid would mark a historic moment for Southern African football, giving the region a chance to jointly stage a continental championship and potentially boost sporting infrastructure, tourism, and economic activity across the participating countries.

Nigeria’s U-17 women’s national team, the Nigeria U-17 women's national football team, will travel to Côte d’Ivoire on Wednesday, May 20, as preparations intensify for their FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup second-round qualifier against Guinea, NigeriaSoccernet.com reports.

The squad, led by head coach Akeem Busari, is expected to wrap up final preparations ahead of the first-leg encounter scheduled for May 23, with Nigeria continuing its push to secure qualification for the tournament in Morocco later this year.

The Flamingos have been in strong form during their build-up, holding a productive training camp in Abuja before moving to Ikenne, where they concluded preparations at the Remo Stars Stadium.

Team officials confirmed a smooth travel sequence that saw the squad depart Abuja at 5:21 p.m., arrive in Lagos at 6:11 p.m., and complete the trip to Ikenne by 8:21 p.m.

Busari’s team has also impressed in a series of friendly matches, recording dominant wins including a 7–0 victory over SoloWonders Babes, a 6–0 win against Nazareth, and a 7–0 demolition of Generation Next. The only blemish was a 1–1 draw with Real Rising.

They also secured a 5–0 win over Lakesides in Ikenne, further boosting confidence ahead of the crucial qualifier.

Nigeria’s Flamingos remain one of Africa’s strongest youth women’s teams, with a history of deep runs at the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup and a reputation for producing top talents for the senior national setup.

The upcoming two-legged tie against Guinea will decide who progresses closer to a place at the global tournament in Morocco.

Nigeria’s Super Eagles will go into the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying draw as one of the top seeds after CAF confirmed the official pot allocations on Monday evening, Nigeriasoccernet.com reports.

The development places Nigeria firmly among Africa’s highest-ranked football nations heading into the qualification phase.

They are joined in Pot 1 by Morocco, Senegal, Egypt, Cameroon, Algeria, DR Congo, Tunisia, South Africa, Mali, Côte d’Ivoire, and Burkina Faso.

With a place in the top pot, Nigeria is guaranteed to avoid these continental heavyweights during the group stage, potentially setting up a more manageable route to the finals.

The remaining nations have been spread across Pots 2, 3, and 4, which will determine the full group composition when the draw is conducted.

The qualifying draw is scheduled for Tuesday, May 19, where all teams will discover their group opponents.

Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda will jointly host the 2027 AFCON finals.

Nigeria’s U-20 women’s national team, the Nigeria U-20 women's national football team, have been drawn in Group F of the 2026 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup alongside Spain, China PR, and New Caledonia, reports Nigeriasoccernet.com.

The draw for the 12th edition of the tournament was held on Friday in ?ód?, Poland, setting up a challenging path for the Nigerian side as they chase their first-ever title.

The Falconets, two-time runners-up in the competition, will face one of their toughest group-stage tests in recent memory, with Spain widely regarded as one of the favourites.

Other African representatives also face demanding groups. Ghana were placed in Group C with France, Korea Republic, and Ecuador, while Tanzania will compete in Group B alongside Brazil, England, and Canada.

Host nation Poland lead Group A with Mexico, Argentina, and Benin, while defending champions Korea DPR headline Group E with Colombia, Costa Rica, and Portugal. Group D features Japan, the United States, New Zealand, and Italy.

The tournament will be staged across four Polish cities, Bielsko-Bia?a, Katowice, ?ód?, and Sosnowiec, from September 5 to 27, 2026.

For Nigeria, the focus now shifts to preparation as they aim to finally convert their long-standing pedigree at youth level into a first World Cup title.

Khalid Jamil has announced a 28-man preliminary squad for the 2026 Unity Cup as preparations intensify for the tournament in London, reports Nigeriasoccernet.com.

The India national football team will assemble in Bengaluru for a short training camp following the conclusion of the Indian Super League season before departing for London on May 24.

Jamil is expected to assess the players during the camp before trimming the squad down to 23 for the competition.

“The Unity Cup will be the perfect opportunity for us to prepare for official tournaments like the SAFF Championship later this year,” Jamil said.

“We need to utilise every available FIFA International Window to prepare for the tournaments we have ahead.

“We have selected the 28 players for the preliminary squad based on their performances in the ongoing ISL. We will have a couple of days to assess them before we pick the final 23.”

India, currently ranked 136th in the FIFA rankings, will face Jamaica national football team in the second semi-final on May 27.

In the other semi-final, defending champions Super Eagles, ranked 26th in the world, will take on Zimbabwe national football team.

Jamil believes the tournament will provide valuable experience for his players against higher-ranked opposition.

“We are playing against strong teams that compete at a very good level. I think these matches will give a lot of confidence to the players and help us improve. We should play more matches like these,” he added.

Nigeria remain the defending champions of the Unity Cup after defeating Jamaica on penalties in the 2025 final held in London.

Eric Chelle has reaffirmed his commitment to the Nigeria national team, insisting he remains fully focused on restoring the Super Eagles to the top despite increasing pressure surrounding the role, reports NigeriaSoccernet.com.

The Franco-Malian tactician stated that his ambition remains unchanged since taking charge of the three-time African champions, stressing that success and winning trophies remain his primary objectives.

“When I took the job, my goal was to win, and I think the next goal is still to win,” Chelle said.

“Definitely, if you are the coach of the Super Eagles, you know you have to win. There is a lot of pressure, but I am still ready to do my job and try to give the best for this country.

“I am a lion and a fighter. I was like that when I took the job, and I remain the same.”

Chelle’s comments come amid speculation linking him with a possible move to Olympique de Marseille, while reports also suggested he recently changed management agencies, fueling uncertainty over his long-term future with Nigeria.

However, the 46-year-old has publicly dismissed doubts over his commitment as he continues preparations for upcoming international assignments, with the Unity Cup expected to serve as a major assessment platform for new and emerging players.

The former Mali international remains under contract with the Nigeria Football Federation until January 2027, although discussions over a possible extension are reportedly ongoing.

Both the NFF and the National Sports Commission are believed to be satisfied with Chelle’s work since his appointment and remain supportive of his long-term vision for the national team.

Since taking over, Chelle has intensified efforts to scout talents from the Nigeria Premier Football League while attempting to build a more competitive and tactically disciplined squad capable of challenging for major honours on the continental and global stage.

Abdu Maikaba, head coach of the Nigeria national under-20 football team, has invited 35 players to camp as preparations begin ahead of the WAFU B U-20 Championship, Nigeriasoccernet.com reports.

The list comprises three goalkeepers, 10 defenders, 11 midfielders, and 11 forwards.

All invited players are expected to report to camp in Abuja on Saturday, May 16.

Côte d’Ivoire will host the WAFU B U-20 Championship in July.

Full Squad

Goalkeepers

Clinton Lawani (Sporting Lagos)

Abubakar Rufai (NK-Istra 1961, Croatia)

Uchechukwu Aloysius (Akwa United)

Defenders

Ayinla Olayomi (Warri Wolves)

Abubakar Aliyu (Wikki Tourists)

Favour Nkwocha (Morak FC)

Wahab Bolanle Musa (FC Malaga, Spain)

Bonaventure Chiemela (Inter Lagos)

Gamagira Umar Suleman (Ranchers Bees)

Mathias Azi Yakubu (GBS)

Mutari Momoh (NK-Istra 1961, Croatia)

Abdulaziz Musa Ndaman (Mavlon FC)

Godwin Samuel (Ikon Allah FC)

Midfielders

Victor Samuel (Sporting Lagos)

Oraro Apine (Warri Wolves)

Sale Abdulrashid (Kryubar FC, Ukraine)

Sa’ad Tijjani (Barau FC)

Imran Ahmad (Kano Pillars)

Peres Jerem (P Sports)

Ayeni Samson (Stormers FC)

Habila Simeon Sulai (GBS)

Simon Karshe Cletus (FC Rijeka, Croatia)

Auwalu Mohammed (Bichi First FC)

Ibrahim Yakubu (Turbo Touch)

Forwards

Abba Dalli (Katsina United)

Prince Columbus (Forster Academy)

Goodluck Angel (P Sports)

Imrana Mohammed (FC Alaves, Spain)

Adamu Hussaini (Barau FC)

Seun Akanji (Sporting Lagos)

Shamsudeen Adamu Abdullahi (Capital City FC)

Alex Leme (Sporting Lagos)

Ezekiel Oguchukwu (Mavlon FC)

Mus’ab Suleiman (Footwork FC)

Peter Pam Davou (Vitkovice, Czech Republic)

The government of Senegal has officially declared its intention to bid for the hosting rights of the 2032 Africa Cup of Nations, marking a major step in the country’s growing football ambitions, Nigeriasoccernet.com reports.

The announcement was made on Monday by Senegal’s Minister of Youth, Sports, and Culture, Khady Diène Gaye, during a parliamentary session.

According to the minister, Senegal is determined to host Africa’s biggest football tournament for the first time in four decades, having last staged the competition in 1992.

The West African nation has strengthened its status as one of the continent’s leading football powers in recent years, particularly after the senior national team won the 2021 AFCON title in Cameroon.

Senegal has also invested heavily in sports infrastructure, including the construction of the modern Abdoulaye Wade Stadium, as part of preparations for hosting major international sporting events.

If successful, Senegal will join the growing list of African nations seeking to host future editions of the prestigious continental championship organised by the Confederation of African Football.

Nigeria women's national under-17 football team have arrived safely in Ikenne as preparations intensify for their second-round FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup qualifier against Guinea women's national under-17 football team later this month.

The team departed Abuja at 5:21 p.m. and landed in Lagos at 6:11 p.m. before completing the journey to Ikenne at approximately 8:21 p.m. on Sunday evening.

The coaching crew, led by Akeem Busari, is expected to continue fine-tuning the squad ahead of the crucial first-leg encounter against Guinea.

Prior to their departure from Abuja, the Flamingos enjoyed an impressive run of results in a series of friendly matches aimed at sharpening the team’s readiness for the qualifiers.

The Nigerian U-17 girls recorded emphatic victories over several domestic sides, beginning with a commanding 6-0 win against Nazareth Queens. They followed it up with a dominant 7-0 triumph over Generation Next and later secured a 7-2 victory against YAFA.

The Flamingos also played out a draw with Real Rising Stars before concluding their friendly campaign in style with a resounding 7-0 victory over Solo Wonder Babes.

The team will now shift full focus to the upcoming qualifier as they seek to secure a place at the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup.

Jerome Akor Adams emerged as the hero for Sevilla FC after scoring a dramatic stoppage-time winner in Saturday’s vital 2-1 comeback victory over RCD Espanyol in La Liga, Nigeriasoccernet.com reports.

The Nigerian striker came off the bench in the 75th minute at the Ramón Sánchez-Pizjuán Stadium and delivered the decisive moment deep into added time, sending the home supporters into celebration as Sevilla strengthened their fight against relegation.

Sevilla had trailed earlier in the second half before mounting a spirited late response. Defender Castrín restored parity for the hosts before Akor completed the turnaround with a composed finish to secure all three points.

According to Sofascore, Akor earned an impressive 7.8 rating for his impactful cameo appearance, while fellow Nigerian international Chidera Ejuke, who played the full match, received a 7.3 rating.

The strike was Akor’s ninth La Liga goal of the campaign and could prove crucial in Sevilla’s bid to avoid relegation from the Spanish top flight.

The victory moved Sevilla further clear of the relegation zone in what has become one of the most competitive survival battles in recent La Liga history. Spanish reports described the result as a major boost for the Andalusian club, who have endured a difficult campaign and faced mounting pressure in recent weeks.

With only a few matches left in the season, the relegation fight remains extremely tight, with several clubs separated by only a handful of points. Sevilla’s recent improvement has revived hopes of preserving their top-flight status and avoiding what would have been a stunning relegation for the seven-time UEFA Europa League champions.

Espanyol, meanwhile, remain deep in trouble after extending their winless run in 2026, increasing the pressure ahead of the final stretch of the season.

With the championship on the line, Galatasaray found themselves under intense pressure after falling behind twice during the encounter. However, Osimhen rose to the occasion with a sensational display that proved decisive in the club’s comeback triumph.

The Super Eagles forward scored two crucial goals, including the dramatic winner in the 88th minute, to hand Galatasaray a record-extending 26th league title and their fourth consecutive Turkish championship.

The performance further capped an outstanding campaign for the Nigerian international, who has established himself as one of the most influential players in Turkish football since arriving from SSC Napoli.

The former African footballer of the year now has three league titles to his name: one Italian Serie A title and two Turkish Superlig titles.

The victory confirmed Galatasaray’s dominance in Turkish football with a fourth consecutive title and twenty-six titles in total.

Uche Dozie

The encounter, played at the Bingu National Stadium on Saturday, saw the hosts push Nigeria to the limit, but the Falconets advanced with a 3-2 aggregate victory after winning the first leg 2-0 in Ikenne, Ogun State.

Malawi’s star forward Faith Chimzimu scored in the 9th and 56th minutes to put the Nigerian side under serious pressure and briefly raise hopes of a comeback for the Young Scorchers.

However, substitute Precious Oscar scored a crucial goal in the 62nd minute to restore Nigeria’s aggregate advantage and ultimately seal qualification for the tournament.

The Falconets endured a tense finish in Lilongwe but showed resilience to secure one of Africa’s four tickets to the global competition scheduled to take place in Poland from September 5 to 27, 2026.

With the qualification, Nigeria maintained its remarkable record of never missing a single edition of the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup since the competition began.

Before overcoming Malawi, the Falconets had eliminated Rwanda U20 Women 5-0 on aggregate and defeated Senegal U20 Women 3-1 on aggregate during the qualification campaign.

Uche Dozie 

Moses Aduku believes Nigeria’s women's national under-20 football team will face a less difficult challenge in the second leg of their 2026 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup qualifier against Malawi's women's national under-20 football team, Nigeriasoccernet.com reports.

The Falconets head into Saturday’s decisive encounter in Malawi with a comfortable 2-0 advantage from the first leg and remain on course to qualify for the tournament scheduled to hold in Poland from September 5 to 27.

Speaking ahead of the return fixture, Aduku stated that Malawi would be forced to attack in search of goals, a situation he believes will favour his side.

“We will not go defensive, rather we will take the game to them to see if we can get goals, and I know my girls can do that,” Aduku said.

“We know the opponent will not sit back; they will come out to play. Definitely, I think it will be easier in Malawi because if they sit back, and we can create chances like this in the first leg, we lost a lot of scoring chances. Now they will come out to play, and definitely we will have chances to score.”

The coach also expressed confidence in his team’s defensive organisation and goalkeeping strength ahead of the encounter.

“I think our defence is not bad and our goalkeeper is not that bad, so we are on course,” he added.

The Falconets boast an impressive qualification history, having never failed to reach the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup since the competition was introduced. Malawi, meanwhile, are aiming to secure a historic first-ever appearance at the biennial tournament.

Eric Chelle has left out forwards Kelechi Iheanacho and Tolu Arokodare from Nigeria’s squad for the upcoming Unity Cup in London, NigeriaSoccernet.com reports.

Iheanacho had been strongly linked with a return to the Nigeria national football team after rediscovering form with Celtic F.C., scoring four goals in his last three matches. Despite the striker’s resurgence, Chelle opted against recalling the experienced forward as he continues reshaping the squad ahead of future international competitions.

Instead, the Franco-Malian tactician handed opportunities to emerging attackers Owen Oseni of Plymouth Argyle F.C. and Rafiu Durosinmi, who currently plays for Pisa Sporting Club.

Arokodare was also omitted despite recently featuring in the Premier League with Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C. Chelle instead recalled Terem Moffi, who recently celebrated a league title success during his loan spell with FC Porto.

Nigeria’s attack for the Unity Cup is expected to revolve around Moffi, Oseni, and Durosinmi, while Femi Azeez has also been included among the attacking options.

Moffi is likely to lead the line in the absence of Victor Osimhen, who is unavailable for the tournament. The striker previously missed Nigeria’s Africa Cup of Nations campaign following inactivity after his exit from OGC Nice amid reported issues with supporters.

Oseni’s invitation is viewed as one of the biggest surprises in the squad. However, sources close to the team revealed Chelle has been impressed by the forward’s pressing ability, movement, aggression, work rate, and attacking output this season.

Nigeria will begin their Unity Cup title defence against Zimbabwe national football team, with a potential final against either India national football team or Jamaica national football team awaiting the winners.

Chelle has repeatedly stated that the tournament will serve as a platform to assess fringe players, home-based talents, and emerging prospects as he continues building his preferred squad for upcoming major competitions.