Super Eagles Coach Eric Chelle has confirmed that Ahmed Musa will captain the Nigeria Super Eagles to the upcoming Unity Cup in London, on his return to the national team fold after being snubbed for recent World Cup qualifiers.
This news comes even as Musa’s current club Kano Pillars also broke the news last Monday that their superstar, who has been in impressive form this season, will headline Nigeria’s squad for the four-nation invitational tournament. The competition is set to commence from 26–31 May 2025 at Brentford’s Gtech Community Stadium.
“Captain Ahmed Musa is set to lead the Super Eagles at the Unity Cup 4-Nations Tourney from May 26–31, 2025, at Brentford Stadium, London,” the Nigerian Premier League side said in a statement.
The 32-year-old player has been called up after national team coach Eric Chelle excluded him from Nigeria’s World Cup qualifiers against Rwanda and Zimbabwe in March. Now, the former Leicester City winger seems to be back in the manager’s plans ahead of the summer tournament.
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The Unity Cup, last held in 2004, will return this year after a 21-year absence. Originally hosted at The Valley, the competition featured Nigeria, Jamaica, and the Republic of Ireland, with Nigeria winning the trophy. The 2025 edition will expand to four teams: Nigeria, Ghana, Jamaica, and Trinidad and Tobago.
Nigeria will face its West African rivals, Ghana, on Wednesday, 28 May, in a highly anticipated match. The tournament will conclude on Saturday, 31 May, with a third-place playoff followed by the final.
Former Manchester United striker Dwight Yorke will serve as the head coach for Trinidad and Tobago, adding star power to the event.
Musa’s inclusion in the squad is a significant boost for Nigeria. As one of the most experienced players, the 32-year-old forward has earned 110 caps—more than any other Nigerian player—and scored 18 goals since his international debut in 2010 as a teenager.
Ahmed Musa in action for Kano Pillars
He holds the distinction of being the first Nigerian to score more than once in a single World Cup match (against Argentina in 2014) and the first to score in two World Cup tournaments, adding to his tally with a brace against Iceland in 2018.
A key figure in Nigeria’s modern football history, Musa helped the Super Eagles win the Africa Cup of Nations in 2013, achieve third place in 2019, and secure silver at the latest tournament in Côte d’Ivoire.
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Although Musa has not participated in international matches since the final in February, his domestic performance has been impressive. He has recorded eight goals and two assists for Kano Pillars in the ongoing 2024–25 NPFL season.
