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Eric Chelle Names Super Eagles Squads For Unity Cup, European Friendlies
Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle has released two separate squad lists ahead of the Unity Cup tournament in London and a set of international friendlies scheduled to hold in Europe next month.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
For the Unity Cup, Chelle included captain Wilfred Ndidi, goalkeeper Francis Uzoho, defenders Bruno Onyemaechi and Igoh Ogbu, as well as forwards Moses Simon, Akor Adams, and Terem Moffi in the team set to defend the title.
The competition will take place at Charlton Athletic Stadium between May 26 and May 30, with Nigeria facing Zimbabwe in the semi-final on May 26.
A win would see the Super Eagles progress to the final, where they will meet either Jamaica or India, who play the other semi-final a day later at the same venue.
The coach also handed first-time call-ups to goalkeeper Arthur Okonkwo, defenders Emmanuel Fernandez, midfielders Raphael Onyedika, Tochukwu Nnadi, and Ebenezer Akinsanmiro, as well as striker Rafiu Durosinmi.
Several home-based players also earned invitations, including goalkeeper Michael Atata and midfielders Aderemi Adeoye, Ayobami Junior, and Tosin Oyedokun.
Attention will then shift to Europe in June, where Nigeria will take on Poland at the PGE Narodowy Stadium on June 3 before travelling to Leiria to face Portugal at the Estádio Dr. Magalhães Pessoa on June 10.
Big names such as Victor Osimhen, Ademola Lookman, and Paul Onuachu headline the 24-man squad for the friendlies, alongside Alex Iwobi, Calvin Bassey, and Frank Onyeka.
The June fixtures are seen as key preparations for the Super Eagles ahead of their Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign, where they have been drawn alongside Madagascar, Tanzania, and Guinea-Bissau.
Super Eagles Unity Cup Squad (27)
Goalkeepers: Francis Uzoho, Arthur Okonkwo, Michael Atata.
Defenders: Bruno Onyemaechi, Emmanuel Fernandez, Chibuike Nwaiwu, Igoh Ogbu, Obinna Igboke, Elias Ochobi, Chibueze Oputa.
Midfielders: Wilfred Ndidi, Raphael Onyedika, Tochukwu Nnadi, Ebenezer Akinsanmiro, Alhassan Yusuf, Aderemi Adeoye, Samson Tijani, Ayobami Junior, Tosin Oyedokun.
Forwards: Moses Simon, Akor Adams, Philip Otele, Owen Oseni, Zadok Abu Yohanna, Terem Moffi, Rafiu Durosinmi, Femi Azeez.
Super Eagles Friendlies Squad (24)
Goalkeepers: Maduka Okoye, Arthur Okonkwo, Francis Uzoho.
Defenders: Semi Ajayi, Calvin Bassey, Bright Osayi-Samuel, Bruno Onyemaechi, Zaidu Sanusi, Igoh Ogbu, Emmanuel Fernandez.
Midfielders: Alex Iwobi, Frank Onyeka, Wilfred Ndidi, Raphael Onyedika, Fisayo Dele-Bashiru, Tochukwu Nnadi, Alhassan Yusuf.
Forwards: Ademola Lookman, Samuel Chukwueze, Moses Simon, Paul Onuachu, Akor Adams, Victor Osimhen.
Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has announced his withdrawal from the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship primary election in the state.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
In a statement personally signed on Wednesday, Fubara said the decision followed deep reflection and wide consultations with family, friends, and political associates.
He added that he would fully support whoever emerges as the party’s candidate after the primaries.
Fubara stated, “After deep reflection and extensive consultations with my family, friends, and associates, I have taken the difficult but necessary decision to withdraw from the APC governorship primaries.
“I do so with a full heart and with a firm commitment to support whoever emerges as the candidate of our great party.”
Former Super Eagles captain William Troost-Ekong has said that performances in away matches could be the key factor in determining which teams qualify for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
Troost-Ekong made the remarks following Tuesday’s draw ceremony in Cairo, where he served as one of four assistants at the Confederation of African Football (CAF)-organised event.
He explained that teams capable of securing points on the road will have a stronger advantage in the qualification race.
According to him, playing away from home is always challenging due to different pitches, environments, and playing conditions across the continent.
“Playing away from home is always difficult because you encounter different pitches, environments and conditions throughout the qualifiers,” Troost-Ekong was quoted as saying by CAFonline.
He added that while away victories are crucial, consistency throughout the qualification campaign will also be essential for success.
“Winning away from home is very important if you want to enhance your qualification chances, but consistency throughout the campaign is equally crucial,” he said.
Troost-Ekong noted that teams that manage to win difficult away fixtures will significantly boost their chances of reaching the tournament, describing the qualifying groups as highly competitive.
He also expressed excitement about the upcoming qualifiers and the tournament itself.
The AFCON 2027 qualification series will begin during the FIFA international window from September 21 to October 6, 2026, with the first two matchdays scheduled to be played.
Matchdays three and four will take place between November 9 and 17, 2026, while the final round of fixtures is set for March 22 to 30, 2027, when all qualified teams will be confirmed.
The 2027 Africa Cup of Nations will be co-hosted by Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania.
Nigerian singer Tiwa Savage has revealed that she only fully understood the importance of a record label to an artist’s mental health after leaving Mavin Records.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
The singer, who joined Mavin Records in 2012 and exited in 2019 before signing with Universal Music Group, said she still considers Mavin family despite her departure.
Speaking on the Afrobeats Intelligence podcast with Joey Akan, Tiwa Savage explained that the kind of support system an artist has within a label can significantly affect their emotional wellbeing.
She recalled her time at Mavin Records, saying she often turned to label boss Don Jazzy and other artistes during difficult moments, especially when facing online controversies.
According to her, she would sometimes break down emotionally and find comfort within the label environment, which felt like a family setting.
However, she noted that her experience with an international label has been different, as such personal support systems are not as available.
She stressed the need for artists to carefully consider whether a record label genuinely cares about their wellbeing or simply views them as business assets.
Tiwa Savage said, “Who you signed to is very important and I didn’t appreciate it until after I left Mavin. Whenever there’s a controversy online I’d run to Don Jazzy’s room, sit on the floor or bed with other Mavin acts and we would talk about it. I would cry if I had to cry and we would get through it.
“But being with a [foreign] label, they don’t really care about your personal stuff. So, I can’t really go to the Empire office and cry. I miss that part.”
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