Head coach of the senior national team of Nigeria Eric Chelle has confirmed our exclusive report that top players of the team won’t be available for the upcoming Unity Cup tournament in London, OwnGoalNigeria.com reports.
Nigeria will defend her title at the four team tournament with their opening game against Zimbabwe, where a win or defeat will see them face either of India or last edition beaten finalists Jamaica.
Like we exclusively reported two days ago, Chelle will use the game to give fringe players a chance, and also some players doing well in lowly rated European Leagues will also be considered.
Yesterday he confirmed that he will use most of his regulars for the high profile friendly games against Poland and Portugal respectively, while fringe players even from the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) will also be in the mix.
He explained how he intends to pick players from NPFL teams with the league with just four matches remaining.
“The Unity Cup provides a platform to assess new players. I will comb Europe and invite new players of Nigerian descent, alongside those who were previously called up but never got the chance to feature”, he said in an official statement from the media team of the Super Eagles.
“Top players from the Nigeria Premier Football League will also 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 and Portugal, I will feature my first team players. These are games that can push us up the global ranking if we win them.”
