LAGOS, NIGERIA – Former Super Eagles stalwarts Garba Lawal and Mutiu Adepoju have praised Head Coach Eric Chelle for blending homegrown talents from the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) with Europe-based stars in his squad for the upcoming Unity Cup in London.
The international friendly tournament, scheduled for May 20 to 31 at the Gtech Community Stadium in West London, will feature Nigeria, Ghana, Jamaica, and Trinidad and Tobago.
Coach Chelle unveiled his squad on Wednesday, including nine NPFL players, a move reminiscent of the golden era of Nigerian football in the 1990s under coaches like Clemens Westerhof, Stephen Keshi, and Bonfrere Jo. These coaching legends famously integrated local league players into the national setup, paving the way for historic successes.
Reacting to Chelle’s selection, Mutiu Adepoju, popularly known as “The Headmaster,” described it as a welcome development that gives hope to aspiring footballers in Nigeria’s domestic league.
“Counting the number of home-based players, I could see nine – this is great for the NPFL,” Adepoju said. “It’s a way of encouraging our domestic league and showing belief in the talent available at home. It will also push other players in the NPFL to work harder, knowing they too can earn a national call-up.”
Adepoju added that Chelle’s approach mirrors the one he used while coaching in Mali, where he actively promoted domestic talent.
Garba Lawal also lauded the squad composition, calling it a vital step toward deepening player development in Nigeria. He believes the inclusion of local players will heighten competition within the Super Eagles squad.
“I hope the home-based will take advantage of this opportunity,” Lawal said. “As a player, this is the kind of opportunity you look forward to. Now they must give their best because the coach has done his part.”
The Unity Cup squad includes international mainstays like Moses Simon (FC Nantes), Wilfred Ndidi (Leicester City), and Kelechi Iheanacho (Sevilla), alongside top NPFL performers such as Junior Harrison Nduka of Remo Stars and Sikiru Alimi.
The tournament offers Nigeria a chance to fine-tune its squad while celebrating the growing synergy between domestic and international football development.
