Kadiri Ikhana, MON, former Nigeria international and 2003 CAF Coach of the Year, has exclusively told Completesports.com that he is pleased with Coach Eric Chelle’s decision to involve Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) players in the Super Eagles’ Unity Cup triumph, concluded Saturday night at Brentford Stadium, London
Eric Chelle listed no fewer than 10 NPFL players in his squad that eventually won the Unity Cup tournament ahead of the international friendly against Russia.
2024/2025 NPFL champions Remo Stars were represented by defenders Junior Harrison Nduka and Ismaila Sodiq, while Rangers’ Ifeanyi Onyebuchi and Ikorodu City’s Waliu Ojetoye were also among the NPFL defenders Chelle took to the tournament.
Also Read: Unity Cup – ‘We Expected A Tough Game Against Jamaica’ –Simon
Similarly, Saviour Isaac and Collins Ugwueze, both of Rangers, and Niger Tornadoes’ Papa Daniel Mustapha were the domestic league midfielders selected for the West London tournament.
Among the forwards, Sikiru Alimi of Remo Stars, Plateau United’s Adamu Abubakar, and former Super Eagles captain Ahmed Musa — now plying his trade with Kano Pillars — were the NPFL strikers named in Coach Chelle’s squad.
The Super Eagles prevailed over Jamaica 5–4 on penalties after a 2–2 draw in regulation time to retain the Unity Cup title.
Ikhana, who guided Enyimba to their historic CAF Champions League title win in 2003 — the first by any Nigerian team — said it was heart-warming that Coach Chelle had the confidence to include domestic league players in his programme, adding that such decisions give much-needed belief to NPFL stars on big stages.
“I didn’t watch the final match, but I’m pleased with the fact that the new coach, Eric Chelle, carried the Nigeria League players along,” Ikhana said during an exclusive chat with Completesports.com moments after the match.
“Giving the league players such opportunities on the big stage will go a long way in boosting their confidence and improving them for big games ahead.”
However, Ikhana, 73, cast significant doubt over the Super Eagles’ chances of qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup finals, scheduled for Mexico, the USA, and Canada.
Also Read: Dominant Super Eagles Beat Jamaica On Penalties To Retain Unity Cup Title
His remarks came in response to questions on whether Nigeria’s Unity Cup victory — and a possible three-point deduction for South Africa by FIFA for fielding an ineligible player against Lesotho — could help Nigeria overtake Bafana Bafana at the top of Group C, which includes Rwanda, Zimbabwe, Lesotho, and the Republic of Benin
“I do not think the Super Eagles stand any chance of making it to the 2026 World Cup,” Ikhana said confidently.
“Yes, victory in the Unity Cup should, in theory, motivate the team going into the remaining qualifiers.
“But despite the potential three-point deduction by FIFA against South Africa, they are still in the driving seat in Group C and will host the Super Eagles in the reverse fixture
“Patriotically, I want to see the green-white-green flag at the World Cup, but in my view, it’s highly doubtful that the Super Eagles will qualify next year,” Ikhana concluded.
By Sab Osuji
2 Comments
Old man! Go and sit down please.
Do you really have sense at all? You that you’re young with trashed memory forgetting that you’re speaking to a legend who’s one of the few Nigeria coaches to have won a Caf champions league in such senseless manner, just because he’s making a smart submission. Na you need to go and sit down because you’re a dumbass kid!!!