LAGOS — Former Super Eagles defender Godwin Okpara has urged head coach Eric Chelle to take full advantage of the upcoming Unity Cup as a platform to scout and integrate home-based talents into Nigeria’s national team setup.
Okpara noted that since Chelle’s appointment, there has been limited exposure for domestic players. He believes the Unity Cup, scheduled for May 26 to 31 at Brentford’s Gtech Community Stadium in London, provides the perfect setting to assess overlooked local prospects in a competitive environment.
“They have to test and check to know what is working. They can’t get it right if they don’t,” Okpara told Brila FM. “This tournament is the perfect moment for him to look at home here in Nigeria and see players that can do something for the nation.”
The 50-year-old emphasized the importance of uncovering multiple standout performers rather than banking on a single revelation. “Not just one player, we need several players to bench foreign-based players,” he said.
The 2025 Unity Cup features Nigeria, Ghana, Jamaica, and Trinidad and Tobago. Semi-final matches begin on May 27, with Trinidad and Tobago taking on Jamaica, followed by a heavyweight clash between Nigeria and Ghana on May 28. The final and third-place playoff are slated for May 31.
For Chelle, the tournament offers a vital opportunity to expand his squad depth ahead of the World Cup qualifiers in October and kickstart the next generation of Super Eagles.
