Super Eagles’ coach, Eric Sekou Chelle has confirmed that he will include a number of home-based players in his squad to this year’s Unity Cup, which is scheduled for next month in London, Sports247 reports.
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As was the case last year, when he called up six players from the Nigerian Professional Football League (NPFL) for the competition at Brentford’s BTech Stadium, also in London, the Franco-Malian gaffer is set to follow suit.
He hinted as much while affirming that he will watch some NPFL and lower division Nigerian National League (NNL) games over the coming days, as he seeks to get attuned to fresh talent on the domestic scene.
Chelle, though, also looked beyond his upcoming clash with Zimbabwe on May 26th at Charlton Athletic’s Valley Stadium, and a possible repeat final versus Jamaica, who will tango with India at the same venue in the day’s second game.
However, the hugely emotional gaffer served a strong hint that he may not include home-based talents in his roster for two subsequent high-profile friendly matches after the Unity Cup, as he stressed the need for first team players in those game.
He declared: “This Unity Cup provides a platform to assess new players. Top players from the Nigeria Premier Football League will be considered; as I will be watching a number of domestic league games from now until the end of the season.
“For the big warm-up games in June against Poland national football team and Portugal national football team, I will feature my first-team players. These are games that can push us up the global ranking if we win them.”
