Super Eagles Rest Osimhen, Recall Iheanacho and Dessers for Unity Cup Showdown in London

Nigeria’s Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle has opted to rest star striker Victor Osimhen ahead of the highly anticipated Unity Cup tournament in London, choosing instead to recall seasoned forwards Kelechi Iheanacho, Cyriel Dessers, and Ahmed Musa to the national team setup. Osimhen, who plays for Galatasaray, was excused from the squad, likely as a precautionary measure following a taxing club season.

In place of Osimhen, Super Eagles’s attacking line will feature Iheanacho, making his return after a difficult club spell that saw him leave Sevilla on loan to Middlesbrough, and veteran winger Ahmed Musa, now with Kano Pillars in the Nigeria Professional Football League. The Unity Cup, a four-nation invitational, will provide Chelle with an ideal platform to assess a blend of experienced campaigners and promising home-based talents ahead of upcoming qualifiers for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).

Coach Chelle, unveiling the 25-man squad for the tournament, noted the importance of rotating players and expanding the national team pool. “The Unity Cup gives us a chance to evaluate both new and returning players in competitive settings. Our objective is to build squad depth ahead of crucial fixtures in September and October,” he said.

Dessers Earns Recall After Stellar Season in Scotland

Cyriel Dessers’ recall to the Super Eagles has generated considerable excitement among Nigerian football fans. The Rangers striker had a standout season in the Scottish Premiership, finishing as the league’s top scorer with 18 goals and 21 across all competitions. Despite his earlier sporadic appearances for the national side, his current form made his selection unavoidable.

Dessers last played for Nigeria in March 2022, scoring in a friendly against Ghana. Many observers had criticized his exclusion from previous squads despite consistent performances in Europe. His return signals a fresh opportunity to stake a claim in Chelle’s long-term plans, especially with Osimhen temporarily out of the picture.

The Unity Cup could be the breakthrough tournament Dessers has long awaited. With Nigeria facing Ghana in the semi-finals, the high-stakes rivalry may offer the perfect stage for him to show why he deserves a regular spot in the Super Eagles lineup.

New Faces Shine as NPFL Talent Gets a Chance

In a bold move to rejuvenate the squad, Coach Chelle included several standout performers from the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL), including Remo Stars’ Junior Harrison Nduka and Sikiru Alimi, and Enugu Rangers’ Ifeanyi Onyebuchi. Their call-ups mark a renewed focus on home-grown talent, with the Unity Cup serving as a proving ground.

Sikiru Alimi, who has impressed in the NPFL with his strength and finishing, will be keen to translate his domestic form onto the international stage. Meanwhile, defenders Nduka and Onyebuchi provide additional options in a squad where versatility will be key. These players are expected to compete for spots alongside foreign-based stars like Wilfred Ndidi and Samuel Chukwueze.

This blend of local and international players reflects Chelle’s tactical approach to team building—balancing experience with emerging talent. The tournament also offers a valuable scouting window for NPFL players to attract international attention.

Unity Cup Set for West London with Classic Rivalry in Spotlight

The 2025 Unity Cup will unfold at Brentford’s Gtech Community Stadium in West London from May 27 to May 31. Nigeria will face long-time rivals Ghana in a blockbuster semi-final clash on May 28. The day before, Trinidad and Tobago take on Jamaica in the opening game—the first ever “Trini-Jam” fixture held on UK soil.

The tournament will culminate on May 31, with a third-place match followed by the grand finale to crown the Unity Cup champions. The format not only rekindles historic rivalries but also aims to promote multicultural unity through sport in one of the most diverse cities in the world.

For Nigeria, the encounter with Ghana will be their first meeting since their 2022 World Cup qualifying playoff, which ended in heartbreak for the Super Eagles. Chelle and his men will be seeking redemption, and fans can expect a fiercely contested battle between the two West African powerhouses.

Russia Friendly Caps Super Eagles’s Summer Preparations

Following the Unity Cup, Super Eagles will travel to Moscow to face Russia in a high-profile international friendly on June 6 at the Luzhniki Stadium. Chelle has named a separate 21-man squad for the tie, featuring a mixture of Unity Cup players and additional reinforcements like captain William Troost-Ekong, Olaoluwa Aina, and Victor Boniface.

The friendly against Russia is seen as a key fixture in Nigeria’s preparation for the 2025 AFCON and the resumption of 2026 World Cup qualifiers. It also provides a rare opportunity for the Super Eagles to test themselves against European opposition in a demanding away environment.

With a solid base of players transitioning from the Unity Cup squad to Moscow, Chelle is establishing continuity and competitive balance within the team. He emphasized the value of these matches, stating, “Every game is a step forward in shaping the identity and strength of this squad. We are building a team not just for today but for the future.”