Nigeria’s Super Eagles head coach, Eric Chelle, has invited 31 home-based players for the Olympic Eagles’ two-legged U-23 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying encounter against the Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo).
The squad comprises four goalkeepers, nine defenders, eight midfielders and 10 forwards, drawn from clubs across the Nigerian domestic league.
The invited players are expected to report to the team’s camp at AM2PM Hotel in Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State, on Sunday, October 25, 2026, to begin preparations for the crucial fixtures.
Nigeria will face DR Congo in the first leg at the TP Mazembe Stadium in Lubumbashi on Friday, November 13, while the return leg is scheduled for Tuesday, November 17, at the Remo Stars Stadium in Ikenne-Remo, Ogun State.
The winner of the two-legged encounter will advance to the final qualifying round of the U-23 AFCON, scheduled to take place in Egypt in 2027. The tournament will also determine Africa’s representatives in the men’s football competition at the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.
Nigeria received a bye into the second qualifying round, while DR Congo advanced after defeating Mauritania over two legs.
The Olympic Eagles will be hoping to return to the Olympic men’s football tournament after missing the last two editions. Nigeria won gold at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics, silver at Beijing 2008 and bronze at Rio 2016.
Full List of Invited Players
Goalkeepers
- Chinemerem Olughu (Nasarawa United)
- Clinton Andy (Rivers United)
- Ebenezer Harcourt (Sporting Lagos)
- Michael Atata (Ikorodu City)
Defenders 5. Gift Subi (Warri Wolves) 6. Hillary Zion (Sporting Lagos) 7. Emmanuel Utake (Rivers United) 8. Chibueze Oputa (Rangers International) 9. Marvelous Freedom (Ikorodu City) 10. Kenneth Igboke (Rangers International) 11. Odinaka Alfred (Nasarawa United) 12. Emmanuel Ochobi (Rivers United) 13. Aliu Sugau (Barau FC)
Midfielders 14. Freeman Wuchirwe (Bendel Insurance) 15. Victor Samuel (Sporting Lagos) 16. Umar Mohammed (Nasarawa United) 17. Lucky Oraro (Warri Wolves) 18. Aderemi Adeoye (Ikorodu City) 19. Sani Shuaibu (Warri Wolves) 20. Muhammad Salihu (Sporting Lagos) 21. Jude Eventus (Warri Wolves)
Forwards 22. Junior Ikechukwu (Ikorodu City) 23. Timothy Zechariah (Rivers United) 24. Williams Wonah (Enyimba FC) 25. Ayoola Olaniyan (Sporting Lagos) 26. Chijioke Samuel (Enyimba FC) 27. Jofrank Joshua (Nasarawa United) 28. Chimobi Igwilo (Rangers International) 29. Alex Oweifaleya (Bendel Insurance) 30. Abdulmuiz Adeleke (Sporting Supreme) 31. Habila Simon (Wikki Tourists)