Unity Cup: NPFL Players Must Earn Super Eagles Spots, Says Chelle

Super Eagles head coach, Eric Chelle, has asserted that players from the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) must demonstrate their quality and readiness to compete for places in the national squad.

Chelle made the statement while addressing questions regarding the prospects of home-based players breaking into the Super Eagles, noting that the current team boasts top-quality talent performing at the highest level.

“We have great players in the team currently. Alex Iwobi is a magician, Victor Osimhen is the best striker in the world, while Calvin Bassey, Ola Aina, Benjamin Frederick and Semi Ajayi are all top players,” Chelle remarked. “The NPFL players will have to work really hard to displace these players.”

However, the coach emphasised that opportunities remain open for domestic league players, highlighting the Unity Cup as a crucial platform to assess and integrate emerging talents into the national setup.

He noted that the competition will provide an avenue for home-based players to showcase their capabilities and stake a a claim for future call-ups.

The Unity Cup, featuring Nigeria, Jamaica, India, and Zimbabwe, is expected to serve as a key preparatory tournament, offering both established internationals and aspiring players the chance to make an impression.