Nigeria Striker Lawal Ruled Out of Unity Cup With Season-Ending Injury

Eric Chelle has another striker problem.

Salim Fago Lawal, the Czech-based forward, has been ruled out of the 2026 Unity Cup after picking up an injury in the opening minutes of a league match for FC Viktoria Plzeň against Bohemians. He won’t play again this season.

The Unity Cup takes place this month in London at The Valley. Chelle had planned to use the tournament to assess players of Nigerian descent and those with limited Super Eagles experience — Lawal was among those in the frame.

But Cyriel Dessers is also out with a season-ending injury. Two strikers gone. No replacements named yet.

Lawal has barely featured for Nigeria. He spent AFCON 2025 as an unused substitute across four matches, making just a one-minute competitive debut against Uganda.

The Unity Cup was supposed to be his moment