Online Reporter
Eddie Chikamhi
Zimpapers Sports Hub
ZIMBABWE are still looking to go full throttle in the Unity Cup despite their semi-final opponents Nigeria opting to field a mixture of established players and some emerging stars, who need to make an impression.
The Four-nation Unity Cup springs into life at the Valley in London next week.
Nigeria coach Eric Chelle had to balance his men when he picked the squad to defend their Unity Cup title in the four-team tournament and that team will face Poland and Portugal in high-profile international friendlies, scheduled for Europe next month.
The 27-man squad for the Unity Cup includes as many as 12 uncapped players, several Nigeria Professional Football League stars and multiple diaspora talents.
Among the biggest talking points was the first senior call-up for Wrexham goalkeeper Arthur Okonkwo, who recently switched allegiance to Nigeria.
Chelle’s squad also includes experienced internationals like Wilfred Ndidi, Raphael Onyedika, Moses Simon, Akor Adams and Terem Moffi.
The uncapped players that will be looking to convince the coach include goalkeeper Okonkwo; defenders Emmanuel Fernandez, midfielders Raphael Onyedika, Tochukwu Nnadi and Ebenezer Akinsanmiro and forward Rafiu Durosinmi.
According to reports from the West African country, Chelle is also looking to use the tournament as an opportunity to expand the national team pool while maintaining strong overall quality.
For the friendly with Poland and Portugal, captain Ndidi, midfielder Alex Iwobi, goalkeeper Maduka Okoye, defenders Zaidu Sanusi, Calvin Bassey and Semi Ajayi, midfielders Frank Onyeka and Alhassan Yusuf and forwards Victor Osimhen, Ademola Lookman and Paul Onuachu are among a list of 24 players.
Interestingly, regular first-choice goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali was omitted from both the Unity Cup and the Poland-Portugal friendlies, further underlining Chelle’s willingness to experiment.
Zimbabwe and Nigeria will face off on Tuesday, with the winners advancing to the finals where they clash with the victorious side between Jamaica and India in the final.
The Warriors yesterday bolstered their side by including versatile Scottland man Godknows Murwira following the withdrawal of players such as Tinotenda Kadewere through injury, Divine Lunga, who is part of the Mamelodi Sundowns’ CAF Champions League final team, and Bill Antonio, who asked to be excused due to personal commitments.
Murwira’s latest call-up to the national team yesterday set tongues wagging back home as the Scottland man has not seen much game time in the current season, which is now in week 14.
He is, however, not the only man who has not seen much, if any, game time.
Midfielder Tawanda Chirewa has also hardly played a game in 2026 after injury blighted his loan spell at Barnsley as has goalkeeper Marley Tavaziva.
Warriors coach Kaitano Tembo also turned to Washington Navaya, Prosper Padera and Isheanesu Mauchi among the replacements.
The bulk of the Warriors contingent arrived in London yesterday, led by skipper Marvelous Nakamba.
Nakamba led a crew that included Mongameli Tshuma, Aboubakar Moffat, Future Sibanda, Washington Navaya, Corbin Mthunzi, Munashe Garananga, Chirewa and Tavaziva.
Junior Zindoga, Jonah Fabisch and the returning FC Paris midfielder Marshall Munetsi are also in camp.
The Warriors have set camp in the Midlands and will then depart for London on Sunday.
The team was welcomed by a group of Zimbabweans based in the UK, as well as their partners, who include Diaspora Insurance, who are scheduled to host a reception dinner for them tomorrow in Birmingham.
ZIFA president Nqobile Magwizi said they are looking forward to a competitive outing in the tournament, which also serves as part of their preparations for the upcoming 2027 Africa Cup of Nations.
“As ZIFA, we are excited about this team because we are seeing the commitment, the discipline, and the hunger within the group,” Magwizi told guests at a Warriors send-off dinner.
“The technical team has worked hard to assemble a squad that balances experience, quality, energy, and opportunity. We have engaged with the technical team to ensure that our preparations have been focused and purposeful.
“The team will initially set up camp in Birmingham before moving to London, giving the technical department an important window to assess the players, sharpen tactical plans, and build the right competitive rhythm ahead of our first engagement versus Nigeria on the 26th of May.”
Jamaica also announced their squad yesterday, which excluded several major names, including Leon Bailey of Aston Villa and Brentford’s Ethan Pinnock.
Despite those absences, the Reggae Boyz still have a strong outfit made up largely of European-based talent.
Jamaica will face India in the semi-final. One of the most fascinating inclusions in their squad is young Manchester City striker Caelan Cadamarteri, who had an outstanding season in City’s academy, where he reportedly registered close to 50 goal involvements.
The teenager had previously received youth-level interest from England and Scotland, making his Jamaica selection particularly significant.
Jamaica, ranked 71st in the FIFA rankings, came agonisingly close to qualifying for the FIFA World Cup 2026, but was knocked out by the Democratic Republic of Congo, which rode on an extra-time winner by Axel Tuanzebe.
Nigeria squad for Unity Cup:
Goalkeepers: Francis Uzoho (Omonia FC, Cyprus) Arthur Okonkwo (Wrexham FC, England); Michael Atata (Ikorodu City)
Defenders: Bruno Onyemaechi (Olympiakos, Greece); Emmanuel Fernandez (Glasgow Rangers, Scotland); Chibuike Nwaiwu (Trabzonspor AS, Turkey); Igoh Ogbu (Slavia Prague, Czech Republic); Obinna Igboke (Enugu Rangers); Elias Ochobi (Rivers United); Chibueze Oputa (Enugu Rangers)
Midfielders: Wilfred Ndidi (Besiktas FC, Turkey); Raphael Onyedika (Club Brugge, Belgium); Tochukwu Nnadi (Olympic Marseille, France); Ebenezer Akinsanmiro (Pisa FC, Italy); Alhassan Yusuf (New England Revolution, USA); Aderemi Adeoye (Ikorodu City); Samson Tijani (FK Dukla Prague, Czech Republic); Ayobami Junior (Shooting Stars); Tosin Oyedokun (Ikorodu City)
Forwards: Simon Moses (Paris FC, France); Akor Adams (Sevilla FC, Spain); Philip Otele (Hamburger SV, Germany); Owen Oseni (Plymouth FC, England); Zadok Abu Yohanna (AIK, Greece); Terem Moffi (FC Porto, Portugal); Rafiu Durosinmi (Pisa FC, Italy); Femi Azeez (Millwall FC, England)
