Three debutants impress as Chelle blends NPFL, foreign stars to win Unity Cup

The 2026 Unity Cup ended over the weekend, with Nigeria emerging as champions after beating Jamaica in the final at The Valley in London.

The Super Eagles entered the four-nation tournament as favourites after winning it last year.

They defeated Zimbabwe 2-0 in the semi-final encounter to progress to the final, where they played against Jamaica, who also defeated India in the other semi-final clash.

Millwall winger Femi Azeez scored the two goals for the West African giant against the Warriors as they qualify for the final.

Nigeria went on to thrash Jamaica 3-0 in the final to lift the trophy on Saturday in London.

Two goals from Alhassan Yusuf and a strike from Terem Moffi gave Nigeria the victory.

Head coach of Super Eagles, Eric Chelle, made just one change to the side that started the semi-final victory over Zimbabwe, with Pisa Sporting’s Rafiu Durosinmi replacing Hamburger’s Philip Otele.

Chelle’s side dominated the encounter as they defeated the Reggae Boyz to lift the Unity Cup.

The two games against Jamaica and Zimbabwe, respectively, seem to be among Chelle’s best complete matches as coach of the Super Eagles, as his team recorded two clean sheets.

The Malian played the friendly tournament without some key players like Victor Osimhen, Alex Iwobi, Calvin Bassey, Ademola Lookman, Wilfried Ndidi and Paul Onuachu.

The 48-year-old had a mix of local players, such as Enugu Rangers duo Chibueze Oputa and Kenneth Igboke, from the Nigeria Premier Professional League, NPFL, and some foreign-based players in his squad during the Unity Cup.

Speaking to DAILY POST, Eagle Stars FC coach Isma’il Musa, singled out some Super Eagles players who impressed him during the Unity Cup friendly tournament.

He also hailed Chelle for his tactics during both matches despite having little time to prepare for the tournament.

“One of the things that stood out for me from the two games Nigeria played was the mixture of local players from the NPFL and the foreign-based players,” Musa said.

“I like the fact that Eric Chelle was able to combine these players, and some of the local players played very well in both games against Zimbabwe and Jamaica.

“The guy from Enugu Rangers, Chibueze Oputa, was impressive. Even the goalkeeper from Wrexham did a fantastic job of keeping clean, and also Femi Azeez, who played for Millwall. These three players did well in their debuts under Chelle.

“Chelle’s identity showed during both matches, especially the Zimbabwe game, as he loves his players to keep the ball and express themselves.

“I must commend him because he had little time to prepare for the Unity Cup tournament.”

Chelle’s side will now face Poland in the in an international friendly at the PGE Narodowy Stadium in Warsaw on Wednesday.

Azeez, who was impressive at the Unity Cup, has been drafted in to replace former Villarreal winger, Samuel Chukwueze.

Galatasaray striker, Victor Osimhen and Atletico Madrid star Ademola Lookman have both pulled out of the friendly.

Midfielders Alhassan Yusuf and Samson Tijani will not travel with the team due to visa issues.

This means that Chelle will have to stick to the majority of the players who won the Unity Cup to play the friendly against Poland.

“Based on what I saw at the Unity Cup, I believe the boys will do well against Poland,” Musa added.