In a significant move ahead of the upcoming 2025 Unity Cup, Nigeria’s national team coach Eric Chelle has recalled veteran forward Ahmed Musa to the Super Eagles squad, naming him captain for the four-nation tournament set to take place from May 26 to 31 at Brentford’s Gtech Community Stadium in London. This marks Musa’s return to the national fold after being omitted from the recent World Cup qualifiers against Rwanda and Zimbabwe.
Ahmed Musa, 32, is Nigeria’s most capped player with 110 appearances and 18 goals since his debut in 2010. He holds the distinction of being the first Nigerian to score multiple goals in a single World Cup match (against Argentina in 2014) and the first to score in two World Cups (2014 and 2018). Musa was instrumental in Nigeria’s 2013 Africa Cup of Nations victory and has contributed to the team’s podium finishes in subsequent tournaments, including third place in 2019 and runner-up in the most recent edition in Côte d’Ivoire. Domestically, he has been in impressive form for Kano Pillars this season, netting eight goals and providing two assists in the NPFL.
Coach Chelle’s squad for the Unity Cup also features a promising contingent of NPFL talents, reflecting a blend of experience and youth. Notable NPFL prospects called up include Nduka Junior, the captain of Remo Stars and a standout central defender, Sikiru Alimi (Remo Stars), Isaac Saviour; Ifeanyi Onyebuchi (Enugu Rangers), Adamu Abubakar, Vincent Temitope (Plateau United), and Papa Daniel (Niger Tornadoes). This infusion of home-based players is seen as a strategic effort to build depth and test emerging talents ahead of future international fixtures.
The Unity Cup, returning after a 21-year hiatus, will feature Nigeria alongside Ghana, Jamaica, and Trinidad & Tobago. Nigeria’s opening match against Ghana on May 28 promises to be a high-stakes encounter given the historic rivalry between the two West African giants. The tournament offers a valuable platform for Chelle to experiment with squad dynamics and leadership, especially with some key players unavailable due to club commitments and FIFA regulations.
