Former Nigerian international Godwin Okpara, in an exclusive interview with Footy-Africa, has thrown his weight behind Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle’s decision to prioritize home-based talent and fringe foreign-based players for the upcoming Unity Cup in London.
With the tournament scheduled outside the FIFA international window, Chelle has opened the door for standouts from the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) and uncapped prospects abroad to stake their claim in the national team setup. The Super Eagles are set to defend their title against India, Jamaica, and Zimbabwe at The Valley, home of Charlton Athletic, from May 26 to 30.
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Okpara noted that the injection of fresh talent is essential for the long-term health of the squad:
“He is on the right track. If you look at the national team, they are aging, and we need new blood,” Okpara exclusively told Footy-Africa. “We need to inject some fresh energy into the team.”
The former defender likened the team’s current evolution to a culinary process, suggesting that tactical experimentation is necessary to keep the Super Eagles competitive:
“It is just like having a sauce and trying to spice it up; this is what the team needs and what he is trying to do now. I believe he should be given a free hand so that he can deliver the qualification we are all waiting for. He is certainly on the right track for now.”
Eric Chelle on the upcoming international fixtures 🦅 pic.twitter.com/3hvYjVEDl2
— 🇳🇬 Super Eagles (@NGSuperEagles) April 14, 2026
While Chelle intends to use the London invitational to broaden his pool of players, the regular starters are expected to return for high-profile international friendlies against Portugal and Poland in June. Okpara cautioned that while the Unity Cup is the right time for testing, the upcoming clashes against European giants require a “no-nonsense” approach.
“When you look at Portugal, they are a very tough team with well-experienced players. We need our own experienced players who can match that level of play. If we were playing a lower-ranking nation, we could afford to experiment with new players,” Okpara warned.
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“However, when you are playing against teams like Portugal or Spain, you have to field your first team—your best team. This is what he should consider: he needs to bring out the starters. We should not be experimenting in this kind of friendly match. Let’s hope he fields our strongest lineup.”
