Super Eagles squad announcement: Chelle names 12 newbies for Unity Cup; Osimhen to return for Poland & Portugal

Super Eagles head coach Éric Chelle has revealed his squad for the upcoming Unity Cup and the high-profile friendly matches against Portugal and Poland in June, Soccernet.ng reports.

​After a two-month hiatus, the Super Eagles are set to return to action. They will first participate in the four-nation Unity Cup before locking horns with Poland and Portugal in two highly anticipated friendly fixtures.

​Ahead of the encounters, Chelle had indicated that he would hand call-ups to a significant number of fringe players for the Unity Cup, while reserving the fixtures against Portugal and Poland for his regular starters.

​The squad list released on Wednesday afternoon aligned perfectly with what the Franco-Malian tactician said.

Super Eagles Squad for Unity Cup

​Super Eagles head coach Éric Chelle has called up a 27-man squad for the upcoming Unity Cup. The roster features 12 new faces, including seven homegrown talents from the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL), alongside European-based stars.

​Crucially, veteran internationals like Wilfred Ndidi, Francis Uzoho, and Moses Simon have been included to provide experienced leadership for the fringe players.

​Goalkeepers: Francis Uzoho (Omonia FC, Cyprus), Arthur Okonkwo (Wrexham AFC, England), Michael Atata (Ikorodu City FC, Nigeria).

​Defenders: Emmanuel Fernandez (Rangers FC, Scotland), Chibuike Nwaiwu (Trabzonspor, Turkey), Igoh Ogbu (Slavia Prague, Czech Republic), Elias Ochobi (Rivers United, Nigeria), Chibueze Oputa (Rangers FC, Nigeria), Obinna Igboke (Rangers FC, Nigeria), Bruno Onyemaechi (Olympiakos FC, Greece).

​Midfielders: Wilfred Ndidi (Besiktas JK, Turkey), Samson Tijani (FK Dukla Prague, Czech Republic), Raphael Onyedika (Club Brugge, Belgium), Tochukwu Nnadi (Olympique de Marseille, France), Ebenezer Akinsanmiro (Pisa SC, Italy), Alhassan Yusuf (New England Revolution, USA), Aderemi Adeoye (Ikorodu City FC, Nigeria), Ayobami Junior (Shooting Stars, Nigeria), Tosin Oyedokun (Ikorodu City FC, Nigeria).

​Forwards: Moses Simon (Paris FC, France), Akor Adams (Sevilla FC, Spain), Philip Otele (Hamburger SV, Germany), Owen Oseni (Plymouth Argyle, England), Zadok Abu Yohanna (AIK, Sweden), Terem Moffi (FC Porto, Portugal), Rafiu Durosinmi (Pisa SC, Italy), Femi Azeez (Millwall FC, England).

​Super Eagles Squad for Poland and Portugal Friendlies

​For the high-profile international friendlies against Portugal and Poland, coach Chelle has reverted to his heavy hitters. Established stars such as Victor Osimhen, Alex Iwobi, Maduka Okoye, and Calvin Bassey headline the star-studded roster.

​However, the squad features some notable absentees, with Ola Aina, Benjamin Fredrick, Taiwo Awoniyi, and Stanley Nwabali all missing out.

​Goalkeepers: Maduka Okoye (Udinese FC, Italy), Francis Uzoho (Omonia FC, Cyprus), Arthur Okonkwo (Wrexham AFC, England).

​Defenders: Bruno Onyemaechi (Olympiakos FC, Greece), Zaidu Sanusi (FC Porto, Portugal), Bright Osayi-Samuel (Birmingham City, England), Calvin Bassey (Fulham FC, England), Semi Ajayi (Hull City, England), Emmanuel Fernandez (Rangers FC, Scotland), Igoh Ogbu (Slavia Prague, Czech Republic).

​Midfielders: Alex Iwobi (Fulham FC, England), Frank Onyeka (Coventry City, England), Wilfred Ndidi (Besiktas JK, Turkey), Fisayo Dele-Bashiru (Lazio, Italy), Raphael Onyedika (Club Brugge, Belgium), Tochukwu Nnadi (Olympique de Marseille, France), Alhassan Yusuf (New England Revolution, USA).

​Forwards: Ademola Lookman (Athletic Bilbao, Spain), Samuel Chukwueze (Fulham FC, England), Moses Simon (Paris FC, France), Owen Oseni (Plymouth Argyle, England), Paul Onuachu (Trabzonspor, Turkey), Akor Adams (Sevilla FC, Spain), Victor Osimhen (Galatasaray, Turkey), Terem Moffi (FC Porto, Portugal).