Super Eagles head coach, Eric Chelle, has revealed plans to search across Europe for players of Nigerian descent while also keeping a close watch on standout performers in the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) ahead of the 2026 Unity Cup.

The tournament is scheduled to take place in May at The Valley, home ground of Charlton Athletic in London.

Following a demanding season, Chelle is expected to rest several key members of the squad for the competition, creating room for new players to be assessed. This approach, he noted, will allow him to broaden the team’s options and evaluate emerging talents.

Nigeria is set to face Zimbabwe in their opening fixture on Tuesday, May 26. If they progress, they could meet either Jamaica or India in the final.

Beyond scouting new players abroad, the coach also hinted at giving another chance to previously invited players who are yet to make their debut or have had limited opportunities with the national team.

Speaking in a press statement on Tuesday, Chelle said the Unity Cup provides a valuable platform to test fresh talent.

“The Unity Cup offers an opportunity to assess new players. I will look across Europe for talents of Nigerian descent and also consider those who have been invited before but didn’t get the chance to play,” he said.

He added that players from the domestic league would not be overlooked, as he plans to monitor several NPFL matches before the season concludes.

Chelle had earlier handed debuts to players such as Benjamin Fredrick, Igoh Ogbu, Felix Agu, Christantus Uche, Papa Daniel, Alimi Sikiru, Chinemerem Ugwueze, and Ifeanyi Onyebuchi during the previous edition of the Unity Cup, signaling his willingness to integrate new talent into the squad.