Chelle sends seven Olympic Eagles to NPFL clubs

Eric Chelle. Photo: Super Eagles

Nigeria’s Olympic Eagles have released seven players from their training camp. They will join their clubs for this weekend’s Nigeria Premier Football League matches. Nasarawa United is the biggest winner from this decision.

The Nigeria Football Federation received requests from some clubs. Olympic Eagles media officer Niyi Busari confirmed this news to sports journalists.

The players released include Utake Emmanuel from Rivers United, Joshua Jofrank, Olughu Onu Chinemerem, and Muhammad Muhammad Umar from Nasarawa United. Others are Owelayafa Alex from Bendel Insurance, Samuel Victor Umoh from Sporting Lagos, and Ikechukwu Junior from Ikorodu City.

Nasarawa United has three players among the seven. Rivers United, Bendel Insurance, Sporting Lagos, and Ikorodu City each have one player. The Solid Miners are currently third with 17 points from 10 matches. They are level with Rivers and Rangers. If they beat Kano Pillars on Sunday, they could move to the top for the first time this season.

This break comes as coach Eric Chelle prepares his team for a two-legged qualifying match against the Democratic Republic of Congo in November. The Olympic Eagles will play the first leg on November 13. The return leg is on November 17 at the Remo Stars Stadium in Ikenne, Ogun State.

So far, the team has played one warm-up match. They drew goalless with Nigeria National League side Remo Stars at the Remo Stars Stadium in Ikenne.

Chelle used a squad made up of home-based players. Aderemi Adeoye from Ikorodu City, who recently made his debut in a friendly against Russia, started as captain.

Remo Stars were well organized and hardly tested goalkeeper Michael Atata in the first half. Abdulmuiz Adeleke had the best chances for the national team but was denied twice by Remo Stars goalkeeper Emmanuel Olisa. Taiwo Cole forced a late save from Atata, and the match ended without a goal.

Chelle and his team will continue training in Ijebu Ode and Ikenne. He is expected to announce a list of foreign-based players before the first leg.