Following Nigeria’s triumphant victory in the 2025 Unity Cup, Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) President Alhaji Ibrahim Musa Gusau has emphasized the tournament’s strategic importance in preparing the Super Eagles for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers.
In a post-tournament briefing, Gusau explained that the Unity Cup was organized to provide newly appointed head coach Eric Chelle with a platform to instill his tactical philosophy and assess player adaptability ahead of the crucial qualifiers scheduled for September.
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“First and foremost, that’s the essence of this type of tournament,” Gusau remarked. “It took us several months to organize this, and it was aimed at giving the coach a chance to see some new players. As you know, he was appointed less than a month before the World Cup qualifiers, so he didn’t have many options but to work with the players he inherited.”
The Unity Cup featured four teams playing two matches each in London, allowing Coach Chelle to test new players and tactics. According to the NFF President, the matches provided a clearer picture of the potential within the squad.
“With what we witnessed in these two matches, we are pleased and excited. We saw hope,” Gusau stated.
“I believe every football-loving Nigerian witnessed what transpired in London. It gave us a glimpse of the hard work the coach is investing in building a Super Eagles team we can rely on.”
Gusau also confirmed that the Super Eagles would proceed to Russia for another Grade A international friendly, which he believes will offer further insights into the emerging players.
“As I mentioned earlier, we are excited. We will do everything necessary to support the coach and ensure he builds a team we can have full confidence in,” he concluded. “With this foundation, we have hope — and God will see us through.”
As the Super Eagles look ahead to the World Cup qualifiers, the Unity Cup has served its purpose as a valuable preparatory platform, aligning with the NFF’s strategic vision for the national team’s development.
 President Alhaji Ibrahim Musa Gusau){kind=link}