AFCON 2027Q: Éric Chelle names 23 players for Nigeria’s crucial DR Congo qualifiers

According to a report by Daily Post on Sunday November 8, 2026, Super Eagles head coach Éric Chelle has unveiled a 23-man squad for Nigeria’s Olympic Eagles ahead of their 2027 Africa U-23 Cup of Nations second-round qualifying showdown against the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Chelle has selected a mixture of home-based and foreign-based players as Nigeria prepare for the two-legged encounter, which will determine their chances of progressing in the qualifying competition.

According to the squad list released on Sunday, November 8, 2026, seven players currently feature for Nigerian clubs, while the remaining 16 are based outside the country.

Among the foreign-based players invited are Peter Edokpolor of Benfica, Zadok Yohanna of Brighton, Samuel James of SJK FC, Daniel Daga of Molde, Victory Akpe of FC Basel and Vince Osuji of Tromsø.

Chibuzor Nwoko, who plays for Fulham in England, is also included in the squad, alongside several other young Nigerian talents playing in different European leagues.

The selection reflects the coaching team’s decision to combine players from the domestic league with young professionals gaining experience abroad.

Nigeria will travel to Lubumbashi for the first leg of the encounter, which is scheduled to take place at the TP Mazembe Stadium on Friday, November 13.

The players and their officials are expected to depart Nigeria on Tuesday to begin preparations for the important away fixture.

The return leg will take place four days later, on Tuesday, November 17, at the Remo Stars Stadium in Ikenne-Remo.

The Olympic Eagles will be hoping to take advantage of home support in the second leg as they attempt to overcome DR Congo and move closer to securing a place at the 2027 Africa U-23 Cup of Nations.

Chelle’s selection includes three goalkeepers, seven defenders, seven midfielders and six forwards.

The goalkeepers are Samuel James of SJK FC, Clinton Andy of Rivers United and Michael Atata of Ikorodu City.

In defence, Chelle has selected Christian Akpan, Victory Akpe, Vince Osuji, Emmanuel Godwin, Odinaka Alfred, Emmanuel Ochobi and Aliu Sugau.

The midfield department features John Otomewo, Daniel Daga, Wilfred George, Chibuzor Nwoko, Aderemi Adeoye, Sadiq Saleh and Victor Samuel.

Meanwhile, Peter Edokpolor, Sulaiman Sani, Umar Abubakar, Zadok Yohanna, Abdullahi Umar and Abdulmuiz Adeleke have been selected to lead the team’s attacking options.

With several players featuring for clubs in Europe, the Nigerian coaching setup will be hoping that their experience can help the team deliver positive results against the Congolese side.

The first leg in Lubumbashi will be particularly important, with Nigeria expected to work towards securing a favourable result before returning home for the decisive second encounter.

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