CONFIRMED: Eric Chelle Invites 31-Man Olympic Eagles Squad Against DR Congo

Super Eagles head coach, Éric Chelle has invited 31 home-based players to the Olympic Eagles camp ahead of Nigeria’s crucial two-legged encounter against the Democratic Republic of Congo in the qualifying campaign for the 2026 U-23 Africa Cup of Nations.

The squad comprises

1. four goalkeepers,
2. nine defenders,
3. eight midfielders and
4. 10 forwards.

Nigeria begin preparations for the second-round qualifying fixture, with a place in the final qualifying round at stake.

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

Olympic Eagles Chase Return to the Olympic Games

Qualification for the U-23 AFCON is a crucial step in Nigeria’s bid to return to the Men’s Football Tournament at the Olympic Games.

The tournament in Egypt will determine Africa’s representatives at the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Men’s Football Tournament.

Nigeria have a proud history in Olympic football, having won

1. gold at Atlanta 1996,
2. silver at Beijing 2008 and
3. bronze at Rio de Janeiro 2016.

However, the country has not featured in the men’s football event at the Olympics in the past 10 years, missing the opportunity to compete at Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024.

The upcoming qualifiers therefore offer the Olympic Eagles an opportunity to move closer to restoring Nigeria’s presence on the Olympic stage.

With the players scheduled to assemble in Ijebu-Ode on October 25, preparations will begin ahead of the November double-header, as Chelle’s selected squad looks to overcome DR Congo and keep Nigeria’s qualification hopes alive.

Nigeria Face DR Congo in Two-Legged Battle

The first leg will take place at the TP Mazembe Stadium in Lubumbashi on Friday, November 13.

The return leg is scheduled for the Remo Stars Stadium in Ikenne-Remo on Tuesday, November 17.

The Olympic Eagles will travel to Lubumbashi for the first leg against DR Congo before hosting the return fixture in Ikenne-Remo four days later.

The Congolese side secured their place in the second round by defeating Mauritania over two legs, while Nigeria received a bye into this stage of the qualifying competition.

Both teams will be seeking to win the tie on aggregate and advance to the final round of qualification for the U-23 Africa Cup of Nations, which will be hosted by Egypt next year (2027).

The two-legged contest leaves little room for error, with Nigeria needing a strong performance away from home before the return fixture on their own soil.

Chelle Names 31 Home-Based Players

The list features players from several clubs across the Nigeria Premier Football League and other domestic sides, including

1. Rivers United,
2. Sporting Lagos,
3. Ikorodu City,
4. Nasarawa United,
5. Warri Wolves and
6. Rangers International.

Chelle has selected four goalkeepers to compete for places in the squad, alongside nine defenders, eight midfielders and 10 forwards as the Olympic Eagles prepare for the decisive fixtures.

Full List of Invited Players

Goalkeepers (4)

1. Chinemerem Olughu — Nasarawa United
2. Clinton Andy — Rivers United
3. Ebenezer Harcourt — Sporting Lagos
4. Michael Atata — Ikorodu City

Defenders (9)

1. Gift Subi — Warri Wolves
2. Hillary Zion — Sporting Lagos
3. Emmanuel Utake — Rivers United
4. Chibueze Oputa — Rangers International
5. Marvelous Freedom — Ikorodu City
6. Kenneth Igboke — Rangers International
7. Odinaka Alfred — Nasarawa United
8. Emmanuel Ochobi — Rivers United
9. Aliu Sugau — Barau FC

Midfielders (8)

1. Freeman Wuchirwe — Bendel Insurance
2. Victor Samuel — Sporting Lagos
3. Umar Mohammed — Nasarawa United
4. Lucky Oraro — Warri Wolves
5. Aderemi Adeoye — Ikorodu City
6. Sani Shuaibu — Warri Wolves
7. Muhammad Salihu — Sporting Lagos
8. Jude Eventus — Warri Wolves

Forwards (10)

1. Junior Ikechukwu — Ikorodu City
2. Timothy Zechariah — Rivers United
3. Williams Wonah — Enyimba FC
4. Ayoola Olaniyan — Sporting Lagos
5. Chijioke Samuel — Enyimba FC
6. Jofrank Joshua — Nasarawa United
7. Chimobi Igwilo — Rangers International
8. Alex Oweifaleya — Bendel Insurance
9. Abdulmuiz Adeleke — Sporting Supreme
10. Habila Simon — Wikki Tourists