Online Reporter
Eddie Chikamhi-Zimpapers Sports Hub
NIGERIA have opted to field a mixture of established players, as well as their emerging stars, in their Unity Cup semi-final showdown against Zimbabwe at the Valley in London on Tuesday.
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.
The Super Eagles will face Poland and Portugal in high-profile international friendlies, scheduled for Europe next month.
The 27-man Ssquad 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 include goalkeeper Arthur 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 utility 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 get married at the weekend.
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.
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. The Warriors players in camp include Mongameli Tshuma, Aboubakar Moffat, Future Sibanda, Tawanda Chirewa, Marley Tavaziva, Corbin Mthunzi, Munashe Garananga, Junior Zindoga, Isheanesu Mauchi, Jonah Fabisch and vice-captain Marshall Munetsi, who is returning after a fallout with previous coach Mario Marinica.
The Warriors will set up camp in the Midlands and 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 the team tomorrow in Birmingham.
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)
