Olympic Eagles Begin Preparations For DR Congo Clash As Chelle Names 31-Man Squad.

 

Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle has invited 31 home-based players to the Olympic Eagles camp ahead of their two-legged second-round qualifying tie against the Democratic Republic of Congo for the 2028 U-23 Africa Cup of Nations.

The invited players, drawn entirely from domestic clubs, are expected to begin preparations on Sunday, 25 October, at AM2PM Hotel in Ijebu-Ode, with players from Sporting Lagos and Ikorodu City featuring prominently on the list.

The encounter is a significant hurdle for Nigeria as they seek to qualify for the U-23 AFCON in Egypt next year, where Africa’s representatives for the men’s football event at the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games will be determined.

Nigeria received a bye in the first round of the qualifiers, while DR Congo booked their place in the second round after overcoming Mauritania over two legs.

The first leg is scheduled for 13 November at the TP Mazembe Stadium in Lubumbashi, with the return fixture billed for 17 November at the Remo Stars Stadium in Ikenne-Remo.

Chelle’s selection comprises four goalkeepers, nine defenders, eight midfielders and 10 forwards, giving the coaching crew a broad pool of domestic talent to assess ahead of the decisive fixtures.

Nigeria will be eager to return to the Olympic men’s football tournament after missing the last two editions. The country boasts a rich history in the competition, winning gold at Atlanta 1996, silver at Beijing 2008 and bronze at Rio 2016.

The Olympic Eagles must first negotiate the Congolese challenge before progressing to the final qualifying round of the U23 AFCON, scheduled to take place in Egypt in 2027.

FULL SQUAD LIST

Chinemerem Olughu (Nasarawa United), Clinton Andy (Rivers United), Ebenezer Harcourt (Sporting Lagos), Michael Atata (Ikorodu City)

Defenders:
Gift Subi (Warri Wolves), Hillary Zion (Sporting Lagos), Emmanuel Utake (Rivers United), Chibueze Oputa (Rangers Int’l), Marvelous Freedom (Ikorodu City), Kenneth Igboke (Rangers Int’l), Odinaka Alfred (Nasarawa United), Emmanuel Ochobi (Rivers United), Aliu Sugau (Barau FC)

Midfielders:
Freeman Wuchirwe (Bendel Insurance), Victor Samuel (Sporting Lagos), Umar Mohammed (Nasarawa United), Lucky Oraro (Warri Wolves), Aderemi Adeoye (Ikorodu City), Sani Shuaibu (Warri Wolves), Muhammed Salisu (Sporting Lagos), Jude Eventus (Warri Wolves)

Forwards:
Junior Ikechukwu (Ikorodu City), Timothy Zechariah (Rivers United), Williams Wonah (Enyimba FC), Ayoola Olaniyan (Sporting Lagos), Chijioke Samuel (Enyimba FC), Jofrank Joshua (Nasarawa United), Chimobi Igwilo (Rangers Int’l), Alex Oweifaleya (Bendel Insurance), Abdulmuiz Adeleke (Sporting Supreme), Habila Simon (Wikki Tourists).