With the 2025 Unity Cup set to serve as a testing ground rather than a title chase, reports suggest that many of the Super Eagles’ European-based regulars might be left out of the squad.
In their place, head coach Eric Chelle has a rare window to assess fresh legs and overlooked talents.
Here are five players who deserve more than a passing glance in London later this month.
Arthur Okonkwo
Wrexham’s rise to the Championship has had many protagonists, but in goal, Arthur Okonkwo has been quietly pivotal.
In 33 games, the London-born keeper has kept 19 clean sheets, a record that speaks volumes about consistency rather than coincidence.
Yet beyond the numbers, it is Okonkwo’s composure, command of his area and smooth footwork that set him apart. Once tipped for the top at Arsenal, he has grown into a reliable figure for a club undergoing its own fairytale.
Eligible for Nigeria and England, he pledged allegiance to the former last year. With Francis Uzoho firmly out of favour, Stanley Nwabali needing a rest and Maduka Okoye potentially searching for long-term validation, there’s no better time to see what Okonkwo can offer. A cameo wouldn’t hurt.
Waliu Ojetoye
From the fringes of the NPFL to the radar of national selectors, Ojetoye is in the form of his life. The Ikorodu City right-back has been at the heart of his club’s fairytale debut campaign. In truth, the Team of the Season pick itself at right-back.
He shone brightly when invited to the CHAN squad for the double-header against Ghana, and has only improved since.
With Ola Aina just returning from injury and Bright Osayi-Samuel unsettled at club level, Ojetoye deserves a runout, especially if home-based players are to form part of the Super Eagles' Unity Cup squad.
Igoh Ogbu
When Igoh Ogbu received his first Super Eagles call-up earlier this year, it felt overdue. His performances for Slavia Prague have not only been solid, but bordering on commanding.
He ticks the right boxes; strong in the air, composed in possession, and rarely caught ball-watching.
Yet, he didn’t feature. Perhaps that was a missed opportunity. William Troost-Ekong, now on the wrong side of 30, won’t be around forever. Ogbu, 25, is a like-for-like replacement who can grow into the role with time and trust.
Jordan Torunarigha
In a centre-back pool heavy on right-footers, the KAA Gent defender offers balance.
Torunarigha, who switched allegiance from Germany to Nigeria, has made only one appearance for the Super Eagles but has played 30 times this season for a Gent side pushing for Europe.
He brings mobility, an eye for a pass, and importantly, a natural left foot; something currently missing outside Calvin Bassey. If Chelle is serious about building from the back, then Torunarigha must be more than a name on the standby list.
Ibrahim Olawoyin
Not every midfielder needs to be destructive. In Olawoyin, Nigeria has a rare kind of player, one who sees the pass before others even register the run.
With four goals and six assists in 28 appearances for Rizespor this season, Olawoyin’s stats don’t even tell half the story.
It’s his influence, creativity and ability to carry the ball that make him stand out. At an average of 1.2 key passes per game, he’s arguably the most important cog in his club’s setup.
His previous two Super Eagles appearances under Finidi George came in 2024 and weren’t enough to judge him.
