Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle has initiated a scouting tour of the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL), personally attending matches to identify domestic talent capable of representing the national team at upcoming international competitions.
The Malian tactician was present at the Lekan Salami Stadium in Ibadan for Matchday 36, where Shooting Stars defeated Nasarawa United 3-2. Shooting Stars SC confirmed via their official X account that Chelle was received by the club’s Executive Chairman, Hon. Taiwo Lekan Salami, Chief Operating Officer Bunmi Fadayomi, and head coach Nurudeen Aweroro.
Chelle has confirmed that his attendance at the Ibadan fixture is not a one-off visit. The coach intends to monitor NPFL matches throughout the remainder of the current season, giving home-based players a meaningful platform to push for national team consideration ahead of imminent international duty.
The scouting drive is directly tied to preparations for the Unity Cup 2026, a four-nation tournament scheduled to run from May 26 to 30 at The Valley, the home ground of Charlton Athletic in London. Nigeria will be joined by Jamaica, Zimbabwe, and India in the competition.
The tournament format sees Nigeria face Zimbabwe in the first semi-final on May 26, with Jamaica taking on India the following day on May 27. Winners of both semi-finals will progress to the final, while the two losing nations will contest the third-place playoff.
Chelle’s decision to scout the NPFL in person represents a notable shift in approach for the Super Eagles setup, where home-based players have historically received limited opportunities compared to their European-based counterparts. The Unity Cup provides a tangible window for NPFL players to make an impression, given the tight turnaround between the end of the domestic season and the tournament’s kick-off date.
Nigeria’s squad selection for the Unity Cup will be closely watched, particularly given ongoing debates around the balance between foreign-based and locally based players in the Super Eagles squad. Chelle’s visible presence at league grounds signals at minimum an intent to assess the depth of talent within the Nigerian domestic top flight before finalising his selections.
