Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle has defended his decision to include veteran forward Ahmed Musa and 10 home-based players from the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) in his latest Unity Cup squad.
Chelle explained that the move reflects a strategic shift toward building a more inclusive, adaptable, and competitive national team.
Speaking at a press conference held at the Gtech Community Stadium in London, Chelle said: “We have a lot of players in Nigeria. We need to give them a chance to show their quality.”
Chelle confirmed he had personally scouted multiple NPFL fixtures and emphasized that selections were made on merit, not sentiment.
“I watched a few games in Nigeria. I spent time analyzing the players. This is my job. They have quality and they deserve a chance.”
The Unity Cup, he said, serves not only as a proving ground for fringe and domestic players but also as a platform to test tactical systems ahead of September’s crucial World Cup qualifiers.
“We want to build a group, an identity. For that, we need players who can learn quickly and adapt to our game project.”
On the recall of 31-year-old Ahmed Musa, Chelle praised the former captain’s experience and leadership.
“I think Ahmed is a great player. Every Nigerian knows that. He brings not only quality but experience. He has played many big games and can bring something valuable to the group.”
However, Chelle made clear that Musa must earn his place on the pitch like every other player. “He needs to take his chance and show us what he can do. If he plays well, that’s my job, to reward performance.”
