Eric Chelle has invited 31 home-based players to the Olympic Eagles’ camp ahead of next month’s U-23 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying fixture against the Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo).
The squad comprises four goalkeepers, nine defenders, eight midfielders and 10 forwards as Nigeria begin preparations for the two-legged second-round tie.
The first leg will take place at the TP Mazembe Stadium in Lubumbashi on Friday, November 13, while the return leg is scheduled for the Remo Stars Stadium in Ikenne-Remo on Tuesday, November 17.
The winner over the two legs will advance to the final qualifying round of the U-23 AFCON, scheduled to be held in Egypt next year. The tournament will determine Africa’s representatives at the men’s football event of the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games.
Nigeria, who won Olympic football gold at Atlanta 1996, silver at Beijing 2008 and bronze at Rio 2016, have not featured in the men’s Olympic football tournament in the past decade.
The Olympic Eagles received a bye into the second round, while DR Congo progressed after edging 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 qualifiers.
LIST OF INVITED 31 HOME BOYS FOR U23 AFCON QUALIFYING FIXTURE:
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)
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