A League One star for Super Eagles: Can Plymouth’s Oseni justify Chelle’s risky decision?

Eric Chelle has taken one of the biggest selection gambles of his short time as Super Eagles coach after naming Plymouth Argyle striker Owen Oseni in Nigeria’s squad for the 2026 Unity Cup and the international friendlies against Poland and Portugal, Afrik-Foot reports.

The Nigeria Football Federation on Tuesday unveiled two Super Eagles lists; one for May’s Unity Cup invitational tournament in London and the other for the Portugal and Poland games.

Head coach Eric Chelle, true to his words, handed out first-time invites to a number of NPFL stars and emerging talents based mostly in Europe.

However, one name that somehow looks out of place but which coincidentally appears on both lists is that of Plymouth forward Owen Damilola Oseni. The reason is not far-fetched; Oseni plays in England’s League One, the third tier of English football. No Nigerian player, in recent memory, has been called up to the Super Eagles from any country’s third division.

Oseni is about to buck that trend and in some style too. The 23-year-old striker, born in Waterford, Republic of Ireland, is set to become the first Irish-born player ever play for the Super Eagles.

While his name and its inclusion on Chelle’s list was being circulated in the media in recent days, the narrative was also being set. It was made abundantly clear that Nigeria had won the race to Oseni’s international allegiance ahead of the Republic of Ireland and Ivory Coast.

Clearly, those two football-crazy countries would be kicking themselves right this moment for allowing Nigeria to beat them to the loyalty of a player who isn’t even the first-choice striker at mid-table Plymouth.

Oseni, credit where it’s due, has done well for himself this term. The former St Mirren attacker forced himself into the spotlight after a strong campaign with Plymouth Argyle, scoring 10 goals and producing five assists in 33 appearances. Chelle reportedly believes the forward’s pressing, physical strength and direct running suit the aggressive style he wants from his team.

The former Mali coach has insisted the Unity Cup in London is designed to test new players and expand Nigeria’s options ahead of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers. Oseni will join established names like Victor Osimhen, Ademola Lookman, Moses Simon, Samuel Chukwueze and Terem Moffi. Whether he has the quality to share a pitch with these lots, though, is the concern that needs to be addressed.

Oseni and Chelle under Super Eagles scrutiny

While Nigerian fans have welcomed the idea of inviting new players to add much-needed depth to the Super Eagles, the decision to include Oseni has already created pressure on Chelle before a ball has even been kicked.

Some officials within the federation’s technical department are reportedly unhappy that a player from England’s third division was selected ahead of more experienced forwards playing in stronger European leagues. The omission of players such as Moses Usor, Christantus Uche, Kelechi Iheanacho and Tolu Arokodare will only intensify the scrutiny.

Even Chelle risks contradicting his earlier promise that ‘only the best’ players would represent Nigeria. Questions will definitely be raised about whether the coach is dancing to the tune of powerful agents or favouring certain diaspora recruits due to unclear sentiments.

Still, Chelle is much loved and trusted by a large section of the Nigerian fan base and the Malian tactician has earned the right to select any player, from wherever, who suits his philosophy.

Needless to say, Oseni is not terrible and his statistics suggest there is genuine potential behind the decision. The striker outperformed his expected goals numbers last season, showed strong finishing efficiency and impressed scouts with his pace during transitions. At 6ft 2in, he also offers a physical presence Nigeria sometimes lack when Osimhen is unavailable.

However, only on the pitch, wearing the famous green and white, can he truly prove Chelle right and silence his critics. Over the next few weeks, the former Derby County recruit will have four chances to show his quality.

Nigeria will face Zimbabwe in the Unity Cup semi-final at The Valley in London on May 26 before a possible final against either Jamaica or India four days later. The Super Eagles then travel to Warsaw to face Poland on June 3 before taking on Portugal in Portugal on June 10.

Those matches could now define not only Oseni’s international future, but also Chelle’s credibility as Super Eagles coach.