An experimental Super Eagles side will face the Warriors of Zimbabwe tonight in the semi-final of the Unity Cup, Completesports.com reports.
Captain Wilfred Ndidi, Moses Simon, Bruno Onyemaechi, Raphael Onyedika, and Akor Adams all missed the Super Eagles’ final training session on Monday, and are not available for tonight’s game.
Experienced goalkeeper Francis Uzoho, Igoh Ogbu, and Tochukwu Nnadi — all part of Super Eagles’ squad at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations earlier this year are expected to start alongside recalled duo Terem Moffi and Alhassan Yusuf.
Winger Femi Azeez, who impressed for Millwall in the Sky Bet Championship during the 2025/26 season, and Plymouth Argyle forward Owen Oseni will both be hoping to make their debuts.
The eight home-based players in the squad will also be eager to get a run-out against Kaitano Tembo’s side.
Zimbabwe, led by experienced midfielder Marvelous Nakamba, are also in a rebuilding phase and are expected to hand debuts to several new players in the encounter.
Chelle On New Super Eagles Stars
Super Eagles head coach Éric Chelle said the players in camp are ready to do the country proud.
Unity Cup: Chelle Expects Tough Battle Against Zimbabwe
“Like I said, we have a vision for this national team (Super Eagles), Chelle said ahead of the game.
“Some of the new players are ready and motivated. The players of the NPFL, the players of the European leagues, they have the chance to enter the Super Eagles (main) team.
“When you play a game like this, the first thing is the attitude, the state of mind. They have to show us first their state of mind. The most important thing for them is to know when you play football, you make some mistakes.
“This is not the question about the mistakes. This is the question of what you can do after the mistakes. It’s a question about the state of mind. The only pressure that they can have is to fight for every ball. It is to run, run and run.”
Nigeria, Zimbabwe Recent Meetings
Both teams played out a draw in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.
The Super Eagles were held to a 1-1 draw in the first meeting played in Rwanda in 2024, while the reverse fixture in Uyo last year ended in heartbreak as the Warriors grabbed a late equaliser.
Tonight’s encounter at The Valley is scheduled to kick off at 7:30pm.
By Adeboye Amosu
