Super Eagles head coach Éric Chelle has invited 31 home-based players to the Olympic Eagles camp ahead of Nigeria’s U-23 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying fixture against the Democratic Republic of Congo, Trybal News reports.
The invitation marks the beginning of preparations for the two-legged second-round encounter, with the first leg scheduled for November 13 at the TP Mazembe Stadium in Lubumbashi. The return leg will take place on November 17 at the Remo Stars Stadium in Ikenne-Remo.
The invited squad comprises four goalkeepers, nine defenders, eight midfielders and 10 forwards, with players drawn from several Nigeria Premier Football League clubs.
All invited players are expected to report to the AM2PM Hotel in Ijebu-Ode on Sunday, October 25, to begin preparations for the crucial qualifying tie.
Nigeria received a bye into the second round, while DR Congo secured their place after overcoming Mauritania over two legs.
The winner of the tie will advance to the final round of the qualifying series for the U-23 AFCON, scheduled to be held in Egypt next year. The tournament will determine Africa’s representatives at the men’s football event of the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.
Nigeria have a rich history in Olympic men’s football, having won gold at Atlanta 1996, silver at Beijing 2008 and bronze at Rio 2016. However, the country has not featured in the men’s football tournament at the Olympics in the past decade.
The Olympic Eagles will now look to overcome DR Congo and move a step closer to securing Nigeria’s return to the Olympic football stage.
Full List of Invited Players
Goalkeepers: 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 International), Marvelous Freedom (Ikorodu City), Kenneth Igboke (Rangers International), 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), Muhammad Salihu (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 International), Alex Oweifaleya (Bendel Insurance), Abdulmuiz Adeleke (Sporting Supreme), Habila Simon (Wikki Tourists).
