Former Super Eagles defender Azubuike Egwuekwe has called on home-based players selected for Nigeria’s Unity Cup squad to make the most of their rare international opportunity. The ex-Warri Wolves star, who earned 35 caps for Nigeria and was part of the victorious 2013 AFCON team, said the upcoming games are a major platform for NPFL talents to elevate their careers and enhance the reputation of the domestic league.
Speaking ahead of the four nation Unity Cup taking place in London from May 26 to 31, Egwuekwe reflected on his own rise through the NPFL system, urging the players to emulate that path with commitment and consistency. “It’s a welcome development to have domestic league players included in the squad. If the players impress, it will mean that the league gets more attention from outside,” he said.
The tournament, hosted at Brentford’s Gtech Community Stadium, features Nigeria, Ghana, Jamaica, and Trinidad & Tobago. It serves as a testing ground for coach Eric Chelle as he blends home-based and foreign-based players in preparation for major international campaigns.
Egwuekwe’s message is clear this isn’t just a friendly tournament—it’s a golden audition for those looking to prove they belong in the green and white.
Editorial
Azubuike Egwuekwe’s message couldn’t be more timely—or more necessary. The Unity Cup isn’t just another date on the Super Eagles calendar it’s a spotlight shining directly on Nigeria’s local league and its long-underrated talents.
There has always been a gap sometimes invisible, often intentional—between players in the NPFL and those based abroad. For too long, national team selections have leaned heavily on foreign-based names, sidelining homegrown talents regardless of form or potential. This Unity Cup presents a small but significant shift in that narrative.
Egwuekwe is speaking from lived experience. He knows what it means to go from Warri Wolves to the African summit. His voice carries weight, not because it’s nostalgic, but because it’s real. His journey proves it can be done if given the chance, and if that chance is seized.
This is not just about performance it’s about perception. If these NPFL players deliver, scouts, clubs, and fans will pay more attention. They won’t just be seen as filler they’ll be viewed as genuine contenders.
So let this be more than participation. Let it be a transformation.
Did You Know?
- Azubuike Egwuekwe earned all 35 of his Nigeria caps between 2012 and 2015—without ever playing club football in Europe during that span.
- The Unity Cup is being hosted at Brentford’s Gtech Community Stadium, which opened in 2020 and seats over 17,000 fans.
- Nigeria’s 2013 AFCON squad, which Egwuekwe was part of, included several NPFL players a rarity in recent national team history.
- Warri Wolves, Egwuekwe’s former club, are one of Nigeria’s most storied football sides but currently compete outside the NPFL top flight.
- This Unity Cup marks the first time a mix of Caribbean and African national teams are facing off in a UK-hosted invitational tournament.
