Former Super Eagles goalkeeper Ike Shorunmu has commended the coaching crew of the Nigerian national team for their recent decision to include players from the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) in the squad for the upcoming Unity Cup tournament.
Ike described the move as “long overdue,” emphasizing that home-based players have long deserved recognition at the national level.
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“The newly invited players have what it takes to displace their foreign counterparts if given the necessary opportunity,” he said, backing the domestic league’s potential to contribute meaningfully to the Super Eagles’ future.
The 2025 Unity Cup, scheduled to take place from May 27 to 31 at Brentford’s GTech Community Stadium in London, will see Nigeria compete against Ghana, Jamaica, and Trinidad & Tobago.
With the tournament falling outside FIFA’s international calendar, head coach Eric Chelle and his technical crew have turned to local talents to fill the roster.
Among the home-based stars invited are Ahmed Musa (Kano Pillars), Nduka Charles and Sikiru Alimi (Remo Stars), Isaac Saviour and Ifeanyi Onyebuchi (Enugu Rangers), Adamu Abubakar and Vincent Temitope (Plateau United), and Papa Daniel (Niger Tornadoes).
Their inclusion marks a significant shift toward harnessing domestic talent for international competitions.
Assistant coach Daniel Ogunmodede confirmed that the team’s strategy includes evaluating NPFL players more closely.
“This tournament gives us a chance to see players who haven’t had their chance yet—especially those performing well in the domestic league,” he said.
Shorunmu, who has previously served as a goalkeeping coach for the national team and is currently with Abia Warriors, has consistently advocated for increased integration of home-based players.
He believes the NPFL holds the key to solving several longstanding issues in the team, including the goalkeeping department.
As preparations ramp up for the Unity Cup, this bold move by the coaching crew is not just about filling squad numbers—it represents a statement of belief in Nigerian football’s grassroots and the talents blossoming within the country’s borders.
