Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle has announced that star players Victor Osimhen and Ademola Lookman will not feature in next month's high-profile international friendly matches against Poland and Portugal. The announcement came after the Super Eagles secured their fourth Unity Cup title with a 3-0 victory over Jamaica in the final on Saturday.
Reasons for Absence
Speaking after the Unity Cup triumph, Chelle explained that both players were initially included in the squad for the friendlies but would now miss the games for different reasons. Osimhen is reportedly on the verge of a club transfer, and Chelle prefers he remains at home to avoid playing at less than full capacity. Lookman, on the other hand, is experiencing fatigue, and his club Atletico Madrid has requested that he be excused from international duty.
Visa Issues and Squad Adjustments
Chelle also highlighted visa problems affecting other players, including Samson Tijani and Abdullahi Yusuf. As a result, the Super Eagles will travel with only 18 players for the matches against Poland on June 3 and Portugal on June 10.
Coach's Outlook on the Fixtures
Despite the setbacks, Chelle remains determined to use the friendlies as a test for his squad. He described the matches as a great challenge, noting that Poland is a strong team and Portugal may be the best in the world. He expressed a desire to win both games, especially as Nigeria failed to qualify for the World Cup.
Player Performances
Victor Osimhen played a key role in Galatasaray's Turkish Super Lig title win, scoring 15 goals in 22 appearances. Ademola Lookman, who joined Atletico Madrid in January, helped the Spanish side reach the Champions League semi-finals and the Copa del Rey final. He scored four league goals in 12 appearances and contributed two goals and two assists in eight other matches.
