Unity Cup 2025: Nigeria's head coach Eric Chelle explains the absence of Osimhen and Lookman

Super Eagles of Nigeria head coach Eric Chelle has revealed why Osimhen and Lookman were excluded from the 2025 Unity Cup squad.

Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle has provided insight into his squad selection for the upcoming Unity Cup Tournament in London. Despite naming Moses Simon, Stanley Nwabali, Wilfred Ndidi, and Ahmed Musa among the 25-man roster, notable players like Ademola Lookman and Victor Osimhen are absent.

Chelle emphasised that the tournament presents a valuable opportunity to test new strategies and give fresh faces a chance to prove themselves.

Speaking to the Nigeria Football Federation Communications, he stated, “Participating in the Unity Cup will allow us to evaluate players in different positions and strengthen our squad ahead of crucial matches later in the year.”

Set to take place later this month, the Unity Cup will feature a blend of home-based and international players.

This year's edition will bring together teams from Nigeria, Jamaica, Ghana, and Trinidad and Tobago at the Gtech Community Stadium in Brentford, West London, which has a seating capacity of 17,250.

The action kicks off on Tuesday, May 27th, with Trinidad & Tobago and Jamaica facing off in a historic first-ever UK ‘Trini-Jam’ semi-final. The following day, Nigeria and Ghana will renew their 74-year-old rivalry in the second semi-final.

The tournament will conclude on Saturday, May 31st, with both the third-place match and the grand final, where the Unity Cup 2025 champion will be crowned.

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