An experimental Nigerian national football team side will take on the Zimbabwe national football team tonight in the semi-final of the Unity Cup in London, NigeriaSoccernet.com reports.
Several senior stars are unavailable for the encounter after missing the team’s final training session on Monday, including captain Wilfred Ndidi, Moses Simon, Bruno Onyemaechi, Raphael Onyedika, and Jerome Akor Adams.
Experienced goalkeeper Francis Uzoho is expected to start alongside Igoh Ogbu and Tochukwu Nnadi, both of whom were part of Nigeria’s squad at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations earlier this year.
Recalled duo Terem Moffi and Alhassan Yusuf are also expected to feature prominently in the encounter.
Millwall winger Femi Azeez and Plymouth Argyle forward Owen Oseni could make their senior debuts for the Super Eagles.
The eight home-based players invited for the tournament will also be eager to impress head coach Éric Chelle against Kaitano Tembo’s rebuilding Zimbabwean side.
Zimbabwe, captained by experienced midfielder Marvelous Nakamba, is expected to hand opportunities to several new faces as they continue rebuilding its squad.
Speaking ahead of the match, Chelle insisted the players currently in camp are highly motivated and determined to fight for places in the national team.
“Some of the new players are ready and motivated. The players of the NPFL and the players in Europe all have the chance to enter the main Super Eagles team,” Chelle stated.
The Malian tactician added that mentality and work rate would be key factors for players hoping to impress during the tournament.
“When you play a game like this, the first thing is the attitude and the state of mind. The only pressure they should have is to fight for every ball and keep running,” he added.
Both countries have already met twice during the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.
The first encounter in Rwanda ended in a 1-1 draw in 2024, while the reverse fixture in Uyo also finished level after Zimbabwe scored a dramatic late equaliser.
Tonight’s clash at The Valley Stadium is scheduled to kick off at 7:30 pm.