Wrexham’s Okonkwo gets first Super Eagles call-up for Unity Cup

Nigeria national football team head coach Eric Chelle has unveiled separate squads for the upcoming Unity Cup tournament in London and international friendlies against Poland and Portugal scheduled for June.

The Super Eagles manager retained experienced stars including captain Wilfred Ndidi, Francis Uzoho, Bruno Onyemaechi, Moses Simon, Akor Adams and Terem Moffi for the Unity Cup competition. Nigeria are scheduled to face Zimbabwe in the semi-final of the Unity Cup at The Valley on May 26. The winner of the match will advance to the final to face either Jamaica or India.

Among the new faces invited to the squad is Arthur Okonkwo, the Wrexham AFC goalkeeper who recently switched his international allegiance from England to Nigeria. Other new additions include defenders Emmanuel Fernandez and Igoh Ogbu, midfielders Raphael Onyedika, Tochukwu Nnadi and Ebenezer Akinsanmiro, alongside striker Rafiu Durosinmi.

Several players from the Nigeria Premier Football League also earned call-ups, including Michael Atata, Elias Ochobi, Chibueze Oputa, Obinna Igboke, Aderemi Adeoye, Ayobami Junior and Tosin Oyedokun. For the international friendlies against Poland and Portugal, Chelle recalled a number of established stars, including Alex Iwobi, Victor Osimhen, Ademola Lookman, Calvin Bassey, Frank Onyeka and Paul Onuachu.

The Super Eagles will face Poland in Warsaw on June 3 before travelling to Leiria for a clash against Portugal on June 10 as preparations continue for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations. Nigeria have already been drawn in the same AFCON qualifying group with Madagascar, Tanzania and Guinea-Bissau.