Why Super Eagles coach Eric Chelle is back in Nigeria ahead of Unity Cup in London

Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle has arrived in Nigeria with a clear mission to watch players in the Nigeria Premier Football League and strengthen his squad ahead of the Unity Cup in London, Afrik-Foot reports.

The Malian coach’s visit is a deliberate move to discover fresh talent and give home-based players a real chance to wear the famous green and white shirt.

Chelle is expected to attend at least two NPFL matches before making his final squad list public as he prepares for the tournament, which will take place later in May.

One of the key fixtures on his list is the Matchday 36 clash between Ikorodu City and Wikki Tourists. The game will be played at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena in Lagos on Tuesday, 5 May, after it was moved from its original date of Sunday, 3 May due to the Lagos State President Federation Cup final.

Chelle’s presence in the stands will be closely watched, especially with players like Joseph Arumala expected to feature. Arumala, currently one of the most in-form forwards in the league, has been scoring regularly and could be among those pushing for a call-up.

The 48-year-old coach has already made it clear that he believes there is still quality in the domestic league. Despite criticism of the NPFL, Chelle insists some players are good enough to step up to international level if given the opportunity.

Super Eagles: The Unity Cup plan

The Unity Cup, set to be held at The Valley in London from 26 to 30 May, is a key part of Chelle’s wider strategy. The Super Eagles will begin their campaign against Zimbabwe in the semi-final on 26 May, with other teams like Jamaica and India also involved.

Chelle is treating the competition as a testing ground. Several regular stars based in Europe are expected to be rested, creating space for fringe players and NPFL standouts to prove themselves. This means the tournament will act like an audition stage, where new faces can fight for a place in the national team.

At the same time, the coach is working on a two-part plan. While the Unity Cup will focus on experimenting with the squad, he is expected to recall his strongest players for high-profile international friendlies in June against Poland and Portugal.

By returning to Nigeria to watch games live, Chelle is also addressing long-standing concerns about the lack of attention given to home-based players. His decision shows he wants to build a deeper squad, one that combines both local talent and players from Europe.

Off the pitch, there are still discussions ongoing between Chelle and the Nigeria Football Federation regarding contract details. However, the coach has made it clear that his main focus remains on improving the team and preparing properly for upcoming competitions.

Chelle was appointed head coach of the Super Eagles in January 2025 and he led the former African champions to a third-place finish at the 2025 AFCON.

The former Mali national team coach, however, failed to qualify Nigeria for the 2026 FIFA World Cup to be jointly hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico.