Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle says the Unity Cup invitational tournament will give him the opportunity to try new players and work on new systems.
The three-time African champions are among the four teams that will participate in the four-nation tournament.
Chelle selected 10 home-based players for the competition.
The Malian also extended invitations to the likes of Cyriel Dessers, Christantus Uche and other fringe players.
“We have lots of players in Nigeria so we need to give chance to lots of players who can show us their quality,” the Malian said. “We are focus, we have a project, we want to create an identity so we need to put players who can learn quickly this project,” he told a press conference in London on Monday.
“Unity Cup is a project to try some players, try some other systems and be ready in September.
“I was in Nigeria and watch two league games and I spent time to analyse some players and I think there are some quality players who deserve a chance because I believe they can bring lots of intensity, aggression.”
Chelle also defended his decision to invite Ahmed Musa and nine other local players.
”I picked 10 players from the NPFL and I can tell you they are good players. Ahmed Musa is a great player which every Nigerian know, this is the reality and it is the fact,” he added.
“He can bring his quality and experience because he knows the game because he played lots of big games so he can bring something to the group.”
The Super Eagles will face Black Stars of Ghana in their game at the Gtech Community Stadium, Brentford on Wednesday.
