Eric Chelle names 31-player Olympic Eagles squad for DR Congo qualifiers

Nigeria U23 head coach Eric Chelle has named a 31-man squad made up entirely of home-based players for the Olympic Eagles’ Africa U-23 Cup of Nations qualifying tie against Democratic Republic of Congo.

The squad includes four goalkeepers, nine defenders, eight midfielders and 10 forwards for the decisive two-legged second-round contest.

Nigeria will play the first leg at TP Mazembe Stadium in Lubumbashi on Friday, November 13. The return match is scheduled for Tuesday, November 17, at Remo Stars Stadium in Ikenne-Remo.

The team that comes through the tie will reach the final round of the U23 AFCON qualifying series, which will be held before next year’s tournament in Egypt.

The competition will also decide Africa’s representatives in the men’s football tournament at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games.

Nigeria have won Olympic football gold, silver and bronze medals, but have not appeared in the men’s tournament at the Games during the past decade. The Olympic Eagles won gold at Atlanta 1996, silver at Beijing 2008 and bronze at Rio 2016.

Nigeria received a bye into the second round, while DR Congo progressed after defeating Mauritania over two legs.

All 31 players are expected to report to the AM2PM Hotel in Ijebu-Ode on Sunday, October 25, when preparations will begin.

Nigeria U23 squad

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).