The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has announced the squad for the upcoming Unity Cup and friendly match against Russia, with a notable absence of two key players.
Victor Osimhen and Ademola Lookman will not be part of the team due to their demanding season. Osimhen recently won the Turkish Super Lig with Galatasaray, while Lookman played a crucial role in Atalanta’s Champions League qualification campaign.
Despite the absence of these star players, Coach Eric Chelle has expressed confidence in the squad’s ability to perform well.
READ MORE:Eric Chelle unveils squad for London Unity Cup and Russia friendly
The team includes experienced players such as William Troost-Ekong, Wilfred Ndidi, Samuel Chukwueze, Kelechi Iheanacho, and Moses Simon. Goalkeeper Maduka Okoye makes a welcome return to the squad after missing the World Cup qualifiers against Rwanda and Zimbabwe.
Victor Osimhen in action for the Super Eagles of Nigeria ( Photo credit Getty Images)
Okoye will compete with Stanley Nwabali for the number one spot, adding depth to the team’s goalkeeping department.
Captain Ahmed Musa also returns to the squad, alongside Cyriel Dessers, who ended the Scottish Premiership season as top scorer.
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The experience and leadership of Musa will be invaluable to the team. The Super Eagles will face Ghana in the Unity Cup on May 28, followed by a match against either Trinidad and Tobago or Jamaica. They will then take on Russia in an international friendly on June 6.
The Unity Cup squad features a mix of experienced and young players, with a strong emphasis on teamwork and strategy.
The team’s defenders, including Bruno Onyemaechi, Oluwasemilogo Ajayi, and Igho Ogbu, will play a crucial role in the upcoming matches. The midfielders, led by Wilfred Ndidi, will be expected to control the tempo of the game and create scoring opportunities for the forwards.
The Super Eagles will look to make their fans proud and build momentum for future competitions. With the right team spirit and strategy, they can still achieve success despite the absence of Osimhen and Lookman. The team’s upcoming matches will be a test of their skills and determination, and fans will be eagerly watching to see how they perform..
