The preparations of Nigeria’s senior national team for upcoming international friendly matches have suffered a major setback following the absence of several key players, including star forwards Victor Osimhen and Ademola Lookman.
Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle confirmed that six players will be unavailable for Nigeria’s high-profile friendlies against Poland and Portugal later this month, creating fresh challenges for the technical crew despite the team’s recent success at the Unity Cup in London.
The development comes just days after Nigeria secured an impressive 3-0 victory over Jamaica in the final of the 2026 Unity Cup, successfully defending the title and extending the team’s positive run under Chelle.
The Super Eagles produced a dominant display against the Reggae Boyz at The Valley Stadium in London, with midfielder Alhassan Yusuf scoring twice and striker Terem Moffi adding another goal to secure the convincing victory.
Nigeria wasted little time in asserting their dominance during the final. Yusuf opened the scoring within the opening minutes after reacting quickest to a rebound from Jamaica goalkeeper Coniah Boyce-Clarke. The energetic midfielder continued to dictate the tempo in midfield while helping the Super Eagles maintain control of the contest.
The second goal arrived in the second half through Moffi, who powered home a header from a brilliant delivery by emerging winger Femi Azeez. Yusuf then completed his brace deep into stoppage time, putting the result beyond doubt and sealing another trophy for Nigeria.
The victory highlighted the growing depth within the Super Eagles squad and provided further evidence of Chelle’s efforts to build a competitive team ahead of future international competitions. However, the celebrations were quickly followed by concerns regarding player availability for the next phase of Nigeria’s international schedule.
Speaking after the Unity Cup triumph, Chelle admitted that several important players would not travel with the squad for the upcoming fixtures due to various circumstances. According to the coach, visa issues, illness, personal commitments and club decisions have all contributed to the reduced squad size.
Among the notable absentees is Osimhen, widely regarded as one of Africa’s most influential strikers. The Galatasaray forward has been a central figure in Nigeria’s attack over the past few years and remains one of the country’s biggest football exports.
Chelle explained that the off-season period often comes with transfer discussions and other off-field matters that require careful handling. While initial comments sparked speculation regarding Osimhen’s club future, subsequent clarifications from the Super Eagles media department emphasized that the striker remains fully committed to the national team.
Osimhen also addressed the situation, stressing that his relationship with the coach remains positive and that reports suggesting controversy had been exaggerated. The striker reassured supporters of his dedication to representing Nigeria whenever called upon.
Lookman’s absence is equally significant for the Super Eagles. The reigning African Footballer of the Year has been one of Nigeria’s most consistent performers, contributing goals, assists and creativity in major tournaments. According to Chelle, the Atalanta winger will miss the matches for personal reasons.
Other players unavailable for selection include Yusuf and Samson Tijani, who are facing visa-related travel complications. Young midfielder Ebenezer Akinsanmiro is reportedly ill, while Azeez will remain with his club after being denied release for the international fixtures.
Despite the growing list of absentees, Chelle remains optimistic about the opportunities available to other members of the squad. The Franco-Malian tactician believes the friendlies will provide a valuable platform for fringe players and emerging talents to showcase their abilities on the international stage.
Nigeria will face Poland in Warsaw before travelling to take on Portugal in another challenging encounter. Both matches are expected to provide important tests as the Super Eagles continue preparations for future FIFA World Cup qualifying campaigns and continental competitions.
With several established stars unavailable, attention will now shift to the new generation of players eager to make their mark. Following the impressive Unity Cup success, Chelle will be hoping his squad can maintain momentum and continue building confidence ahead of more competitive assignments on the international calendar.
