Why Osimhen and Lookman were dropped from Nigeria’s squad for Unity Cup and Russia friendly

• Victor Osimhen and Ademola Lookman person been near retired of Nigeria’s squad for the Unity Cup and Russia friendly
• The NFF reportedly excused some players owed to a demanding nine play for Galatasaray and Atalanta, respectively
• Goalkeeper Maduka Okoye returns to the Super Eagles, portion respective regulars and debutants marque the squad list

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has released the authoritative squad database for the upcoming Unity Cup and a affable lucifer against Russia, and notable absentees are Victor Osimhen and Ademola Lookman.

The Super Eagles duo, who precocious finished palmy nine campaigns successful Europe, were omitted from the Nigerian squad database that volition look Ghana, and 1 of Trinidad & Tobago oregon Jamaica from May 27 to 31, earlier taking connected Russia successful a high-profile planetary affable connected June 6.

Eric Chelle has released Nigeria's squad for the upcoming Unity Cup and Russia affable game, excluding Victor Osimhen and Ademola Lookman from both. Photo by Sia Kambou
Source: Getty Images

Osimhen, who played a important relation successful Galatasaray’s Turkish Super Lig triumph, and Lookman, who helped Atalanta unafraid UEFA Champions League qualification, person been instrumental successful their respective clubs’ occurrence this season.

According to Transfermarkt, Osimhen has scored 36 goals successful 40 matches successful each competitions portion winning the Turkish Cup and Super Lig with Galatasaray this season.

Lookman has besides had a productive play with Atalanta, scoring 20 goals successful each competitions for the Italian giants contempt the squad falling abbreviated of winning the league title.

Rested but not rejected

According to UK-based Nigerian sports writer Samuel Omaenikun, some players were apt excused by the NFF aft a hectic and physically draining season.

Victor Osimhen celebrates a extremity with Ademola Lookman during the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations tournament, wherever the Super Eagles reached the final. Photo by Frank Fife
Source: Getty Images

In an exclusive chat with Legit.ng, Omaenikun noted that their omission from the Super Eagles squad does not bespeak disciplinary oregon show issues.

“Victor and Ademola person been phenomenal this season. Osimhen battled each season-long and inactive delivered 2 titles to Galatasaray, portion Lookman’s consistency helped Atalanta publication a UCL spot,” Omaenikun stated.“It’s lone just they are fixed clip to recover. This shows foresight from the NFF and coaching crew, prioritising subordinate payment implicit unnecessary risks successful affable matches.”

Their lack of Osimhen and Lookman successful the Super Eagles set-up offers opportunities for different attackers similar Cyriel Dessers, Tolu Arokodare, and Sikiru Alimi to measurement up and impressment the nationalist squad selectors.

Fresh faces and acquainted names successful the squad

Goalkeeper Maduka Okoye makes his long-awaited instrumentality aft missing caller World Cup qualifiers arsenic the Udinese goalkeeper volition vie with Stanley Nwabali for the fig 1 spot.

Coach Eric Chelle retained regulars specified arsenic Wilfred Ndidi, Kelechi Iheanacho, and Samuel Chukwueze. Team skipper Ahmed Musa and Scottish Premiership apical scorer Cyriel Dessers besides instrumentality to action.

Meanwhile, Victor Boniface, different cardinal attacker for the Super Eagles, has been ruled retired of the Unity Cup but is expected to feature successful the Russia affable game.

The Unity Cup, to beryllium played successful London, serves arsenic a preparatory level for the Super Eagles up of the resumption of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.

Chelle releases caller Super Eagles squad

Earlier, Legit.ng reported that Super Eagles caput manager Eric Chelle has announced 2 squads to partake successful the team's upcoming games successful the 2025 Unity Cup and the planetary affable against Russia.

After a disappointing extremity to the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier during the March planetary break, the Super Eagles volition instrumentality to enactment successful the Unity Cup successful May, earlier facing Russia successful June.

Nigeria volition play Ghana successful the archetypal circular of the Unity Cup connected May 28, and if they triumph volition look the victor of the lucifer betwixt Trinidad and Tobago and Jamaica successful the final, oregon the loser successful the 3rd spot lucifer if Ghana wins.

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Source: Legit.ng