Congratulations - NPFL boss Elegbeleye hails home-based Super Eagles players

Executive Chairman of the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL), Hon. Gbenga Elegbeleye, has commended the performance of the ten NPFL stars selected for the Super Eagles squad that won the Unity Cup in London, describing them as “good ambassadors of the NPFL.”

Among the standout players were Junior Nduka and Ismaila Sodiq of Remo Stars, Ifeanyi Onyebuchi of Rangers, and Waliu Ojetoye of Ikorodu City.

Midfielders Saviour Isaac and Collins Ugwueze (both of Rangers), and Papa Daniel Mustapha of Niger Tornadoes also featured prominently. Veteran forward Ahmed Musa of Kano Pillars and Adamu Abubakar of Plateau United represented the NPFL in attack.

Ismaila Sodiq of Remo Stars played a key role for the Super Eagles in the Unity Cup, featuring in both games and providing an assist. Sikiru Alimi, Papa Daniel, and Ahmed Musa also participated in the London tournament.

In an interview with CompleteSports.com following Nigeria’s victory at the Brentford Community Stadium, Elegbeleye lauded Super Eagles Head Coach Eric Chelle for recognising and rewarding domestic talent, a move he believes will inspire greater discipline and hard work across the league.

“As organisers of the domestic league, our objective is to develop local content, and I’m happy with Coach Chelle for looking inwards and selecting players from the league who were worthy of making the Super Eagles squad,” Elegbeleye said on Sunday.

He continued, “The players proved to be good ambassadors of the NPFL.

“Their performance will go a long way in challenging other players in the league to make hard work and discipline their watchwords. Someone like Coach Chelle is watching.”

Elegbeleye, who also serves as Second Vice President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), praised the federation's leadership under Alhaji Ibrahim Musa Gusau, crediting them for the steady resurgence of Nigerian football on the continental and global stage.

“Only good leadership breeds success. Last year, the Super Eagles came close to winning the AFCON. This time, they have qualified for the 2025 edition, and we have a real chance of bringing the trophy home for a fourth time.”

Eric Chelle's tenure as head coach of the Super Eagles began on January 7, 2025, and he first managed the team in March 2025.