2027 U-23 AFCONQ: Chelle Invites 31 Home-Based Players For DR Congo Clash

Head Coach Éric Chelle has invited 31 players to the camp of Nigeria’s U23 national team, the Olympic Eagles, ahead of their upcoming Africa U-23 Cup of Nations qualifying fixture against the Democratic Republic of Congo.

The squad comprises four goalkeepers, nine defenders, eight midfielders and 10 forwards as preparations begin for the crucial two-legged encounter.

Nigeria will travel to Lubumbashi for the first leg at the TP Mazembe Stadium on Friday, November 13, before hosting DR Congo in the return leg at the Remo Stars Stadium in Ikenne-Remo on Tuesday, November 17.

The winner over the two legs will advance to the final round of the U23 AFCON qualifying series, scheduled to take place ahead of next year’s tournament in Egypt.

The competition will also determine Africa’s representatives at the men’s football event of the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games.

Nigeria, who have won Olympic football gold, silver and bronze medals, have not featured in the men’s football tournament at the Games in the past decade.

The Olympic Eagles claimed gold at Atlanta 1996, silver at Beijing 2008 and bronze at Rio 2016.

The Nigerian side secured a bye into the second round of the qualifiers, while DR Congo booked their place in the tie after overcoming Mauritania over two legs.

All invited players are expected to report to the AM2PM Hotel in Ijebu-Ode on Sunday, October 25, to begin preparations for the decisive qualifiers.

Full List

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 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); 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 Int’l); Alex Oweifaleya (Bendel Insurance); Abdulmuiz Adeleke (Sporting Supreme); Habila Simon (Wikki Tourists)