Unity Cup: Super Eagles boss Chelle calls up Genk and 3SC stars after AIK blocked Yohanna

Super Eagles coach Éric Chelle has moved quickly to reshape his squad for the 2026 Unity Cup in London after teenage winger Zadok Yohanna was blocked from joining Nigeria by Swedish club AIK Fotboll, Afrik-Foot reports.

Chelle has now handed late invitations to Yira Sor and Tijani Al-Ameen as the Super Eagles prepare for the four-nation tournament which runs from May 26 to May 30 in London.

The Nigeria coach had initially included Yohanna in his squad after the 18-year-old impressed in Sweden’s Allsvenskan with two goals and three assists in seven league matches for AIK. The invitation was expected to mark the youngster’s senior international debut.

Zadok Yohanna. Copyright: xPhilipxKangasx/xSPPxImago

However, AIK refused to release the winger because the Unity Cup falls outside FIFA’s official international calendar. That meant the Swedish top-flight club had no obligation to allow the player travel to England. AIK are also believed to be carefully managing Yohanna’s fitness after recent injury concerns.

The decision forced Chelle into a late adjustment just days before Nigeria’s opening semi-final match against Zimbabwe at Charlton Athletic’s Valley Stadium on May 26.

Super Eagles: Chelle balances experience with NPFL reward

Rather than finding a direct replacement for Yohanna alone, Chelle used the opportunity to strengthen two different areas of his squad.

Former Flying Eagles winger Sor arrives with valuable European experience from KRC Genk in Belgium. The pacey attacker has previously featured for Nigeria in friendly matches against Iran and Jordan and is expected to add speed and direct attacking threat to Chelle’s frontline.

Genk’s Yira Sor. (Photo by Imago)

The invitation for Al-Ameen is equally significant. The versatile 21-year-old defender from Shooting Stars SC receives his first-ever senior Super Eagles call-up after strong displays in the Nigeria Premier Football League.

The Unity Cup squad already contains several fresh faces, with Chelle resting major stars such as Victor Osimhen and Ademola Lookman as he focuses on testing tactical depth before crucial World Cup qualifiers and the next Africa Cup of Nations campaign.

Nigeria’s squad for the London tournament also includes new goalkeeper options like Arthur Okonkwo and home-based talents from the NPFL, showing Chelle’s intention to build a faster, younger and more flexible Super Eagles team ahead of the challenges waiting later this year.

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Imhonlamhen

Sports Writer