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🇳🇬 Nigeria /Sports

First Eagles invite thrills Rangers’ Oputa

From The Punch · () English

Summarized by DistantNews. Read the original for the full story.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • Enugu Rangers fullback Chibueze Oputa received his first call-up to the Nigerian national team, the Super Eagles.
  • Oputa expressed gratitude and vowed to represent Nigeria proudly at the upcoming 2026 Unity Cup in London.
  • The call-up follows a strong season where Oputa's defensive contributions helped Rangers maintain a top league record.

The maiden call-up of Enugu Rangers' dynamic right-back, Chibueze Oputa, to the prestigious Super Eagles squad is a moment of immense pride for Nigerian football. Oputa's inclusion in Coach Eric Chelle's 27-man roster for the 2026 Unity Cup in London is a well-deserved recognition of his consistent and outstanding performances in the Nigeria Premier Football League.

Oputa has been a linchpin in Rangers' defense, contributing significantly to their impressive record of conceding only 26 goals this season while challenging for the league title. His tenacity, tactical discipline, and attacking forays from the fullback position have not gone unnoticed. His own words, "Thank you to the Nigeria Football Federation for the opportunity. Forever grateful. Time to make the country proud," encapsulate the spirit and dedication he brings to the national team.

This opportunity at the Unity Cup, a four-nation tournament featuring Zimbabwe, India, and Jamaica, provides a crucial platform for Coach Chelle to assess home-based talent and fringe players ahead of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers. For Oputa, it's a chance to earn his senior debut and showcase the quality of domestic league players on an international stage. His journey from the NPFL to the national team is an inspiration, reflecting the depth of talent within Nigeria and the unwavering commitment of its athletes to national pride.

Thank you to the Nigeria Football Federation for the opportunity. Forever grateful. Time to make the country proud.

· Chibueze OputaExpressing gratitude for his first Super Eagles call-up.
About this summary

Originally published by The Punch. Summarized and contextualized automatically by DistantNews, with a note on how the source frames the story. Not individually reviewed before publishing. How this works.

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