Eric Chelle monitors Liverpool defenders for Nigeria Under-23 squad

Olympic Eagles head coach Eric Chelle is monitoring Liverpool central defenders Wellity Lucky and Noah Adekoya as Nigeria prepare for their U23 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign.

According to Score Nigeria, both Liverpool academy players are under consideration for a possible call-up by the Malian coach.

Adekoya has previously indicated his willingness to represent Nigeria if approached by the Nigeria Football Federation. Allnigeriasoccer.com reported two years ago that he and Chibuzo Nwoko were open to playing for the country.

Nwoko has since made his Nigeria debut, featuring in the team’s most recent friendly against Russia. Adekoya, however, remains without a senior international cap.

The defender joined Liverpool from Burnley in January 2026 and has scored once in four appearances for the club’s Premier League 2 side.

Lucky, who was born in Zaragoza, is eligible to play for the Olympic Eagles through his parents. He can also represent Spain or England after living in England for more than five years.

The centre-back has played for England at Under-15 and Under-16 level and has also been invited to a Spain Under-17 training camp.

Lucky is regarded as a player capable of progressing into Liverpool’s first team. He has been included in seven matchday squads and made his senior debut in a Carabao Cup fixture against Crystal Palace in October 2025.

Nigeria’s Olympic Eagles are scheduled to meet the Democratic Republic of Congo in the U23 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers in November 2026.