As Nigeria gears up for the highly anticipated Unity Cup Tournament in London, Super Eagles legends Garba Lawal and Mutiu Adepoju have praised head coach Eric Chelle for his strategic decision to mix Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) talents with seasoned foreign-based stars.
The support comes as Chelle unveils a 25-man squad to take on Ghana in the tournament’s semi-final clash on May 28, with the final scheduled for May 31 at the Gtech Community Stadium in West London.
Chelle’s roster has drawn comparisons to the legendary approaches of former Nigerian coaches Clemens Westerhof, Stephen Keshi, and Bonfrere Jo, who were known for integrating homegrown players into the national team—a hallmark of Nigeria’s golden football era in the 1990s.
Mutiu Adepoju, known as “The Headmaster” for his aerial strength, applauded the move during a media chat:
“Yes, I think it’s a good one, a good development,” Adepoju said. “Counting the number of home-based players, I could see nine—this is great for the NPFL. It’s a way of encouraging our domestic league and showing belief in the talent available at home.”
He also endorsed Chelle’s coaching philosophy, linking it to his past experience:
“Yes, I think it’s always good. Chelle did something similar while he was coaching in Mali. It’s best to ensure the local league is encouraged—it’s very important.”
On Nigeria’s chances in the tournament, Adepoju was optimistic:
“Why not? They are going there to compete. If they put everything they have into it, I believe they can win.”
Garba Lawal, another icon from Nigeria’s 1990s squad, echoed similar sentiments:
“It’s a good one. I believe Chelle wants to give some other people a chance to play, which is good,” Lawal said. “It’s a mix of foreign and home-based players. I hope the home-based will take advantage of this opportunity.”
He stressed the importance of performance:
“There aren’t too many professionals in there, so the home-based players need to showcase their talents. As a player, this is the kind of opportunity you’re looking for. When you’re called upon, you have to give your best because the coach has already done his part.”
Lawal added historical perspective:
“People like Westerhof, Keshi, Bonfrere Jo—they all did similar things. It’s not new. This is a traditional way of bringing in the local players.”
The Unity Cup, beyond being a friendly tournament, holds nostalgic value. Nigeria won it in 2002 and 2004, the latter of which marked Obafemi Martins’ debut, a player who went on to have a storied international career.
Chelle’s 2025 squad includes stars like Moses Simon (FC Nantes), Wilfred Ndidi (Leicester City), and Kelechi Iheanacho (Sevilla), along with standout NPFL players like Junior Harrison Nduka and Sikiru Alimi.
In goal, Stanley Nwabali returns alongside Maduka Okoye and Amas Obasogie, offering a solid last line of defense.
The Unity Cup will feature Nigeria, Ghana, Jamaica, and Trinidad & Tobago, offering Chelle a valuable platform to assess his team ahead of World Cup qualifiers in September and October. The coach himself summed it up:
“We’re looking forward to taking part in the Unity Cup as it will give us the chance to try out a few new players in different roles, helping us to strengthen our squad.”
