Goalkeeper Arthur Okonkwo and 13 other players have reported to the Super Eagles camp in London as coach Eric Chelle begins preparations for the 2026 Unity Cup tournament, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.
The 14 players, comprising Europe-based professionals and Nigeria Premier Football League stars, had their first training session on Saturday evening at Cray Valley FC, Middle Park Avenue, London, ahead of Nigeria’s opening fixture against Zimbabwe on Tuesday, May 26.
Okonkwo, a product of Arsenal’s youth academy, arrives in camp after a standout season with Wrexham, where he kept 10 clean sheets in 39 league appearances to help the club’s Championship campaign. His invitation has drawn significant attention, given that regular Super Eagles goalkeepers Stanley Nwabali and Maduka Okoye were left out of Chelle’s squad for the tournament.
Also among the arrivals are Millwall attacker Femi Azeez, who was voted Championship Player of the Season after scoring 11 goals and contributing eight assists in 35 league appearances, and Plymouth Argyle’s Owen Oseni, who chipped in with seven goals and five assists in 27 outings for his club. FC Porto forward Terem Moffi, Marseille midfielder Tochukwu Nnadi, and Hamburger SV winger Philip Otele are also in the group.
The home-based contingent includes Shooting Stars players Junior Ayobami, Al Ameen Tijani, Michael Atata, Adeoye Aderemi, Oputa Chibueze, Ighoke Obinna, Ocholi Elias and Oyedokun Tosin.
Nigeria are the defending champions of the Unity Cup, having won the previous edition at the Gtech Community Stadium in Brentford. This year’s tournament, scheduled from May 26 to May 30, also features Zimbabwe, India and Jamaica, with all matches at The Valley Stadium, home of Charlton Athletic.
The Super Eagles will face Zimbabwe in the first semi-final on Tuesday before a potential final on May 30 against the winner of the India versus Jamaica tie.
Captain Wilfred Ndidi, Moses Simon, Raphael Onyedika, Bruno Onyemaechi, Akor Adams, Francis Uzoho and recalled Genk winger Yira Sor are among those still expected to join the camp.
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