Top 8: Fringe Super Eagles stars set to make Eric Chelle’s squad for Unity Cup

Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle will lead Nigeria into their Unity Cup title defence in late May 2026, Soccernet.ng reports.

The former Mali national team coach has signaled a willingness to integrate fresh faces into the squad of the three-time African champions.

The Unity Cup is an invitational tournament held at The Valley in London featuring Nigeria, Jamaica, Zimbabwe, and India. It serves as a testing ground for fringe players before “first-team” regulars return for June friendlies against Portugal and Poland.

Fringe stars who deserve Super Eagles attention

Tolu Arokodare (Wolves, England)

Arokodare has been a “literal nightmare” for defenders this season, utilizing his 197cm frame to dominate aerially and score clinical goals in Belgium and during his debut season in the English Premier League.

He was part of Chelle’s 31-man provisional squad in September 2025 and featured in World Cup qualifiers but remains a fringe option behind the likes of Victor Osimhen.

Why he deserves attention: His unique physical profile provides a distinct tactical alternative to Nigeria's smaller, quicker forwards.

Arthur Okonkwo (Wrexham, England)

The London-born keeper has been quietly pivotal for Wrexham in the Championship, maintaining an impressive record of 19 clean sheets in 33 games.

He officially switched allegiance from England and has been on the fringes of several squad lists but has yet to secure a starting role.

Why he deserves attention: With Maduka Okoye and Stanley Nwabali occasionally missing friendlies, Okonkwo’s consistency at club level makes him a prime candidate for the gloves in London.

Igoh Ogbu (Slavia Prague, Czech Republic)

Ogbu has been a commanding presence in the Czech league and European competitions, offering a solid, aggressive style at center-back.

He earned a call-up earlier in 2026 and was part of the 35-man provisional squad for the March qualifiers.

Why he deserves attention: Chelle favours an attacking style that needs reliable, pacey cover at the back. Ogbu is currently bordering on “commanding” form.

Chrisantus Uche (Crystal Palace, England)

Uche emerged as a standout in La Liga last season, where his physicality and aerial ability made him a revelation. However, the youngster has struggled for game time on loan at Crystal Palace.

He earned his first-ever call-up under Chelle for the September 2025 World Cup qualifiers but narrowly missed Nigeria's squad to the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco.

Why he deserves attention: He offers a blend of power and technical security in midfield that few other fringe players can match.

Jordan Torunarigha (Hamburg, Germany)

A regular for a Hamburger SV side struggling in the Bundesliga, Torunarigha has made 21 league appearances this term in Germany.

Despite switching allegiance from Germany, he has only made one senior appearance for the Super Eagles.

Why he deserves attention: His left-footedness offers tactical balance to a center-back pool that is currently heavy on right-footers.

Ebenezer Akinsanmiro (Pisa, Italy – on loan from Inter)

The Inter Milan-owned youngster has flourished in Italy, showing maturity and high-level ball retention. He was recently named in the final squad list to the 2025 AFCON and is hoping for his first-ever cap.

Why he deserves attention: He represents the future of Nigeria's midfield; the Unity Cup is the perfect platform for his debut.

Bamidele Yusuf (Radnički 1923, Serbia)

Yusuf is having a monstrous season in the Serbian SuperLiga. As a dynamic winger who can also operate as a second striker, he has become Radnički’s most potent attacking threat. His stats this season, hitting double figures in goal contributions, reflect a player who has found his rhythm, combining raw pace with a much-improved final ball.

Despite his consistent form in Eastern Europe over the last two seasons, Yusuf has largely flown under the radar of previous coaching regimes. He has been a frequent name on the “scouting shortlist” but is yet to earn a senior cap.

Why he deserves attention: Eric Chelle’s system relies heavily on wingers who can track back but also transition at lightning speed. Yusuf offers that “X-factor” from the bench. With the Unity Cup being held in London, his direct style of play would likely thrive on the slick English turf, providing a perfect opportunity to see if his Serbian league dominance translates to the international stage.

Anthony Dennis (Göztepe S.K., Turkey)

The 21-year-old defensive midfielder has been a revelation in the Turkish Süper Lig. A “midfield dynamo” for Göztepe, Dennis has made 28 appearances (2,246 minutes), contributing 3 goals while anchoring a midfield that has maintained one of the league's best defensive records outside the top five.

His performances have been so dominant that European clubs like Villarreal, RB Leipzig, and Stuttgart are reportedly tracking him for a summer move.

Dennis is a relatively new face in the national setup. He received his first-ever Super Eagles call-up from Eric Chelle for the March 2026 World Cup qualifiers against Rwanda and Zimbabwe. Although he was part of that 39-man provisional list, he remains a fringe prospect looking for his breakout international moment.

Why he deserves attention: Described as a “new Oruma” for his vision and composure, Dennis offers the Super Eagles a rare combination of tough tackling and intelligent passing. Chelle’s tactical setup for the Unity Cup requires a high-energy “number 6” who can dictate tempo, and Dennis' current form in Turkey suggests he is ready to transition from a “provisional” name to a mainstay in the midfield.