Eagles duty pulls Chelle out of U-23 camp

Eric Chelle. Photo: Super Eagles

…names Yohanna, Daga for Olympic qualifiers

Head coach Èric Chelle has left Nigeria’s U-23 camp to focus on the Super Eagles’ 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Tanzania, exposing the scheduling conflict arising from his dual responsibility with the two national teams, The PUNCH reports.

Chelle, who was also appointed to oversee the Olympic Eagles, will miss their two-legged U-23 AFCON qualifying tie against the Democratic Republic of Congo, with assistant coach Deniran Ortega set to take charge of the team in his absence.

The conflict stems from both teams’ fixtures falling within the same international window. The Olympic Eagles will face DR Congo in the first leg in Lubumbashi on Friday, November 13, the same day the Super Eagles host Tanzania at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo. The return leg in Ikenne on Tuesday, November 17, also coincides with the senior team’s second meeting with the Taifa Stars.

Ortega, who has worked with the home-based players since the U-23 camp opened two weeks ago, will continue alongside Ikorodu City head coach Bright Ozebagbe as the Olympic Eagles pursue qualification for next year’s tournament in Egypt.

According to reports by ACL Sports, Ortega handled most of the team’s training sessions on Thursday and led the technical crew during their friendly win over Grassrunners on Friday before the team’s departure for the DR Congo fixture.

Meanwhile, Chelle has named Brighton forward Zadok Yohanna and Molde FC midfielder Daniel Daga in his 23-man squad for the qualifying tie, with the duo among the notable prospects expected to strengthen Nigeria’s challenge.

Goalkeeper Michael Atata and junior international Abdulmuiz Adeleke also made the list, while Atata will compete with SJK FC’s Samuel James and home-based Clinton Andy for the starting position.

Other players named include defenders Victory Akpe, Vince Osuji and Emmanuel Ochobi, midfielders Chibuzor Nwoko and Aderemi Adeoye, as well as forwards Peter Edokpolor and Umar Abubakar.

The seven home-based players in the squad are expected to depart Nigeria on Tuesday for the first leg at Stade TP Mazembe in Lubumbashi, with the return fixture scheduled for the Remo Stars Stadium in Ikenne-Remo on November 17.

Nigeria received a bye in the first qualifying round and must overcome DR Congo over two legs to reach the final round of the qualifiers. The competition will also determine Africa’s representatives at the men’s football event of the 2028 Olympic Games.

THE FULL SQUAD:

Goalkeepers: Samuel James (SJK FC, Finland); Clinton Andy (Rivers United); Michael Atata (Ikorodu City).

Defenders: Christian Akpan (Genk FC, Belgium); Victory Akpe (FC Basel, Switzerland); Vince Osuji (Tromsø IL FC, Norway); Emmanuel Godwin (Pardubice FC, Czechia); Odinaka Alfred (Nasarawa United); Emmanuel Ochobi (Rivers United); Aliu Sugau (Barau FC).

Midfielders: John Otomewo (Reims FC, France); Daniel Daga (Molde FC, Norway); Wilfred George (Kristiansund FC, Norway); Chibuzor Nwoko (Fulham FC, England); Aderemi Adeoye (Ikorodu City); Sadiq Saleh (FC Metta, Latvia); Victor Samuel (Pardubice FC, Czechia).

Forwards: Peter Edokpolor (SL Benfica, Portugal); Sulaiman Sani (Al-Qadsiah FC, Saudi Arabia); Umar Abubakar (FC Famalicao, Portugal); Zadok Yohanna (Brighton FC, England); Abdullahi Umar (Hradec Kralove, Czechia); Abdulmuiz Adeleke (Sporting Supreme).