Okoye out, Okonkwo in: Eric Chelle names 27-man Super Eagles list for Unity Cup

Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle has named a 27-man squad for Nigeria’s 2026 Unity Cup tournament set to kick off next Tuesday, Afrik Foot reports.

The tournament features four nations: Nigeria, India, Zimbabwe and Jamaica, and all fixtures will be played at Charlton Athletic’s Valley Stadium.

Chelle’s men won the previous edition hosted at Brentford’s Gtech Community Stadium. Nigeria defeated Ghana and Jamaica [on penalties], but players like Felix Agu, Benjamin Frederick, and Christantus Uche all made their first appearance in the Green and White shirt.

In a bid to replicate the same feat, the Franco-Malian tactician has named some new faces.

Unity Cup 2026: Eric Chelle’s 27-man Super Eagles squad

Francis Uzoho is the only Super Eagles regular goalkeeper who was invited. He’s joined by AFC Wrexham’s Arthur Okonkwo and breakout NPFL talent, Ikorodu City’s Michael Atata.

In defence, Emmanuel Fernandez, Chibuike Nwaiwu, Igoh Ogbu and Bruno Onyemaechi are joined by Rangers International duo Obinna Igboke and Chibueze Oputa. At the same time, Rivers United’s Elias Ochobi also gets a maiden call-up.

Yusuf Alhassan returns to the fold alongside Wilfred Ndidi, Raphael Onyedika, Tochukwu Nnadi, and Ebenezer Akinsanmiro.

Dukla Prague midfielder Samson Tijani is joined by three NPFL talents: Aderemi Adeoye, Ayobami Junior, and Oyedokun Tosin on their maiden call-ups.

In attack, Millwall’s Championship hero Femi Azeez sees his dream come true with an inclusion in Nigeria’s 2027 Unity Cup squad. Other new faces like Oseni Owen, AIK’s Zadok Yohanna, and Rafiu Duronsimi join him.

Moses Simon, Akor Adams, Otele Philip and Terem Moffi complete Chelle’s Unity cup team.

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The Unity Cup squad in full

Goalkeepers: Francis Uzoho (Omonia FC, Cyprus), Arthur Okonkwo (Wrexham FC, England), Michael (Ikorodu United FC, Nigeria).

Defenders: Emmanuel Fernandez (Rangers FC, Scotland), Chibuike Nwaiwu (Trabzonspor, Turkey), Igho Ogbu (Slavia Prague, Czech Republic), Elias Ochobi (Rivers United, Nigeria), Chibueze Oputa (Rangers FC, Nigeria), Obinna Igboke (Rangers FC, Nigeria), Bruno Onyemaechi (Olympiacos, Greece).

Midfielders: Wilfred Ndidi (Beşiktaş JK, Turkey), Samson Tijani (Dukla Prague, Czech Republic), Raphael Onyedika (Club Brugge, Belgium), Tochukwu Nnadi (Olympique de Marseille, France), Ebenezer Akinsanmiro (Pisa SC, Italy), Alhassan Yusuf (New England Revolution, USA), Aderemi Adeoye (Ikorodu City, Nigeria), Ayobami Adeoye (Shooting Stars, Nigeria), Oyedokun Junior (Ikorodu City, Nigeria).

Forwards: Moses Simon (Paris FC, France), Akor Adams (Sevilla FC, Spain), Philip Otele (Hamburger SV, Germany), Oseni Owen (Plymouth FC, England), Zadok Abu Yohanna (AIK, Sweden), Terem Moffi (FC Porto, Portugal), Rafiu Durosinmi (Pisa SC, Italy), Femi Azeez (Millwall FC, England).