Super Eagles icons Mutiu Adepoju and Garba Lawal have commended Nigeria’s head coach Eric Chelle for his strategic blend of Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) players and foreign-based professionals in the 25-man squad for the 2025 Unity Cup in London.
Chelle announced the squad on Wednesday, including 10 home-based players for Nigeria’s semi-final clash against Ghana on May 28 and the final or third-place match on May 31 at the Gtech Community Stadium in West London.
The coach’s approach echoes the successful strategies of Nigerian football legends like Clemens Westerhof, Stephen Keshi, and Bonfrere Jo, who integrated domestic talent during Nigeria’s dominant 1990s era.
Adepoju, a key figure in the 1994 Africa Cup of Nations-winning team, hailed the move as a boost for the NPFL. “Counting the number of home-based players, I could see nine; this is great for the NPFL. It’s a way of encouraging our domestic league and showing belief in the talent available at home,” he said. Drawing from his experience under Westerhof and Keshi, Adepoju added, “Chelle did something similar while coaching in Mali. It’s best to ensure the local league is encouraged.”
Garba Lawal, another star of Nigeria’s golden generation, described the squad selection as a positive step for player development. “It’s a good one. I believe Chelle wants to give some other people a chance to play,” he said. Lawal urged NPFL players to seize the Unity Cup as a platform to prove their worth for regular national team roles. “The home-based players need to showcase their talents. This is the kind of opportunity you’re looking for as a player,” he noted.