Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle has praised midfielder Tosin Oyedokun for his strong performances during training ahead of Nigeria’s opening match against Zimbabwe at the Unity Cup tournament in London on Tuesday, May 26. The 25-year-old, who plays for Ikorodu City in the Nigeria Premier Football League, earned his national team call-up after a standout season, scoring four goals and providing three assists in 32 league appearances. Despite his individual success, Ikorodu City narrowly missed out on a CAF Confederation Cup spot after a last-day defeat to Rangers International.
Chelle, a Malian tactician, highlighted Tosin’s technical ability and composure on the ball during training sessions, noting that the midfielder has shown a willingness to adapt to the team’s playing style. “Some of them are good with the ball, like Tosin, who plays for Ikorodu City,” Chelle told Proudly Austin. “But the most important thing is that they try to understand what we want for this team.” The coach emphasized that while the home-based players have limited preparation time, their motivation and mindset are key to performing under pressure.
He acknowledged the challenges faced by domestic players who must adjust quickly to international standards after just two training sessions. “It is difficult for these players because they have to show something after two training sessions. Maybe they can have a lot of pressure,” Chelle admitted. However, he urged them to embrace the pressure as part of the game. “You are playing for Nigeria, and the only pressure you can have is to give everything on the pitch. After that, you will make a lot of mistakes, but this is not the end, because if there are no mistakes, there are no goals in football. Don’t be scared of anything; be ready to go to war.”
The Unity Cup serves as a crucial platform for Chelle to evaluate home-based talents, especially since the tournament does not fall on a FIFA international date, limiting the availability of players based abroad. “Like I said when I was in Nigeria, I wanted to give a chance to home-based players. They can show their strengths, and this is a good tournament,” he explained. He expressed satisfaction with the players’ early efforts, noting their eagerness to grasp his tactical instructions despite the short preparation time.
The Super Eagles initially began camp with 14 players, but the squad has since expanded to 17 with the additions of goalkeepers Francis Uzoho and Chibuike Nwaiwu, along with defender Rafiu Durosinmi. Nigeria, the defending champions of the Unity Cup, will aim to retain their title against Zimbabwe in London. Chelle believes that with the right attitude and aggression, the team can achieve positive results despite the challenges. The tournament offers a valuable opportunity to build cohesion and assess emerging talent as Nigeria continues to develop its footballing future.
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