Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle has invited 31 home-based players to the Olympic Eagles camp ahead of Nigeria’s two-legged second-round qualifying tie against the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DR Congo) for the 2028 U-23 Africa Cup of Nations.
The invited players, drawn exclusively from domestic clubs, are expected to begin preparations on Sunday, 25 October, at AM2PM Hotel in Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State. Sporting Lagos and Ikorodu City have prominent representation on the squad list.
The encounter presents a major test for Nigeria as they seek to qualify for the U-23 AFCON in Egypt in 2027, where Africa’s representatives for the men’s football event at the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games will be determined.
Nigeria received a bye in the first round of the qualifiers, while DR Congo advanced to the second round after defeating Mauritania over two legs.
The first leg is scheduled for 13 November at the TP Mazembe Stadium in Lubumbashi, while the return fixture will take place on 17 November at the Remo Stars Stadium in Ikenne-Remo, Ogun State.
Chelle’s selection comprises four goalkeepers, nine defenders, eight midfielders and 10 forwards, providing the coaching crew with a broad pool of domestic talent to assess ahead of the decisive fixtures.
Nigeria will be aiming to return to the men’s Olympic football tournament after missing the last two editions. The country has a strong record in the competition, having won gold at Atlanta 1996, silver at Beijing 2008 and bronze at Rio 2016.
The Olympic Eagles must overcome DR Congo before progressing to the final qualifying round of the U-23 AFCON, scheduled to take place in Egypt in 2027.
Full Squad 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 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)
Muhammed Salisu (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)
