Eric Chelle summons 31-players for U-23 AFCON Qualifiers against DR Congo

Nigeria’s senior men’s national team Head Coach Éric Chelle has invited 31 home-based players to the camp of Nigeria’s U23 national team, the Olympic Eagles, ahead of next month’s U23 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying encounter against the Democratic Republic of Congo.

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

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

The winner over the two legs will advance to the final round of qualifying for next year’s U23 AFCON in Egypt, where Africa’s representatives at the men’s football tournament of the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games will emerge.

Nigeria, who won Olympic football gold at Atlanta 1996, silver at Beijing 2008 and bronze at Rio de Janeiro 2016, have not featured in the men’s football tournament at the Olympics in the past decade.

The Olympic Eagles received a bye into the second round, while DR Congo progressed after defeating 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 encounter.

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)