Eric Chelle challenged to pick Nigeria squad on merit

Former Nigerian international Duke Udi as challenged Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle to pick national team players on merit.

Nigeria is set to participate in the 2026 Unity Cup in London this May, featuring Zimbabwe, India, and Jamaica.

The three-time AFCON winners will also face Poland and Portugal in international friendlies slated for June. These high-profile matches are organized to serve as a rebuilding ground for the Super Eagles ahead of the AFCON 2027 qualifiers.

Senegal pick players on merit

“We need to learn from the English and Senegalese national teams. With all due respect to Nigeria, how do they pick their players?” Duke Udi posed a question to Brila FM as quoted by Complete Sports.

“Sometimes when you do things your own way and it’s not working; you have to look at those doing it better and learn from them. If you look at the Senegal national team, they pick players based on merit and who is in form. You must prove yourself to get called up.

“Every Nigerian who wants to play for the Super Eagles should be chosen on merit, not based on where he comes from or who he represents.

“Once you are qualified, good enough, and performing well at your club, then you are entitled to play for the national team.”

Nigeria to open Unity Cup against Zimbabwe

Nigeria will play Zimbabwe in the semifinals, aiming to retain their title against fellow participants Jamaica and India.

The second semifinal will see Jamaica take on India, a fixture that promises to be as much a spectacle in the stands as it is on the pitch.

The Unity Cup was famously hosted at The Valley in 2004, a landmark event involving Nigeria, Jamaica and the Republic of Ireland that solidified the competition’s reputation for blending elite sport with cultural celebration.