Super Eagles manager Éric Chelle is set to lead a full training session on Sunday with at least 17 players in camp ahead of Nigeria’s Unity Cup semifinal clash against Zimbabwe’s Warriors at The Valley on Tuesday, May 26. The team’s preparations in London have gained momentum with the arrival of three more invited players, bringing the total number of players in camp to 17. The new arrivals include AC Omonia goalkeeper Francis Uzoho, Trabzonspor centre-back Chibuike Nwaiwu, and Pisa striker Rafiu Durosinmi, all of whom joined the squad to bolster the team’s depth and options.
The Super Eagles held their first training session on Saturday evening at Cray Valley Paper Mills’ ground in London, where 14 players were present. Those in attendance included Junior Ayobami, Al Ameen Tijani, Michael Alata, Adeoye Aderemi, Oputa Chibueze, Igboke Obinna, Elias Ocholi, Tosin Oyedokun, Philip Otele, Arthur Okonkwo, Femi Azeez, Owen Oseni, Tochukwu Nnadi, and Terem Moffi. The training ground, located on Middle Park Avenue in London SE9 5HP, is the home venue for Isthmian League Premier Division side Cray Valley Paper Mills and also serves as a training facility for relegated Southern Counties East League club Stansfeld.
The team’s preparations continue with another session scheduled for Sunday at the same venue. The Badgers Sports Ground, where the training will take place, has become a temporary base for the Super Eagles as they gear up for their crucial match against Zimbabwe. Nigeria, the defending champions of the Unity Cup, are aiming to maintain their dominance in the competition and secure a spot in the final.
Eleven players are still expected to arrive at the camp before the match, including Emmanuel Fernandez, Igoh Ogbu, Bruno Onyemaechi, Wilfred Ndidi, Yira Sor, Raphael Onyedika, Ebenezer Akinsanmiro, Alhassan Yusuf, Moses Simon, and Akor Adams. Their arrival will complete the squad and allow Chelle to finalize his tactics and team selection for the high-stakes encounter.
The Unity Cup, which serves as a key preparatory tournament for the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, offers Nigeria a chance to test their squad depth and cohesion under competitive conditions. With the team’s focus now firmly on Tuesday’s semifinal, the training sessions in London are critical to building rhythm and confidence. The Super Eagles’ performance in this match will set the tone for their campaign and provide valuable insights ahead of their upcoming international fixtures.
As the countdown to the match continues, fans and football analysts alike are watching closely to see how the new arrivals integrate and whether Chelle can field a balanced and competitive side. The result against Zimbabwe will be a strong indicator of Nigeria’s readiness for the challenges ahead in the World Cup qualifiers.
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