ÉRic Chelle Invites 31 Home-Based Players for AFCON Qualifiers

According to a report by Punch News on Friday October 23, 2026, Nigeria U23 head coach Éric Chelle has invited 31 home-based footballers to the Olympic Eagles camp ahead of their upcoming Africa Cup of Nations qualifying encounter against the Democratic Republic of Congo.

The invitation marks the beginning of preparations for the crucial two-legged second-round qualifying tie, with Nigeria hoping to advance closer to securing a place at next year’s tournament in Egypt.

The squad consists of four goalkeepers, nine defenders, eight midfielders and ten forwards. The selected players are expected to report to AM2PM Hotel in Ijebu-Ode on Sunday, October 25.

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

Winning the tie on aggregate would send the Olympic Eagles into the final qualifying round. The tournament in Egypt will determine Africa’s representatives for the men’s football competition at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games.

Nigeria have a proud Olympic football history, winning gold at Atlanta 1996, silver in Beijing 2008 and bronze in Rio de Janeiro 2016. However, the country has missed the men’s Olympic football tournament over the past decade.

The Olympic Eagles received a bye into this qualifying round, while DR Congo progressed after defeating Mauritania across two legs, setting up their meeting with Nigeria.

Goalkeepers: Chinemerem Olughu, Clinton Andy, Ebenezer Harcourt, Michael Atata.

Defenders: Gift Subi, Hillary Zion, Emmanuel Utake, Chibueze Oputa, Marvelous Freedom, Kenneth Igboke, Odinaka Alfred, Emmanuel Ochobi, Aliu Sugau.

Midfielders: Freeman Wuchirwe, Victor Samuel, Umar Mohammed, Lucky Oraro, Aderemi Adeoye, Sani Shuaibu, Muhammad Salihu, Jude Eventus.

Forwards: Junior Ikechukwu, Timothy Zechariah, Williams Wonah, Ayoola Olaniyan, Chijioke Samuel, Jofrank Joshua, Chimobi Igwilo, Alex Oweifaleya, Abdulmuiz Adeleke, Habila Simon.

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