Olympic Eagles Start Training for U-23 AFCON Qualifiers in Ikenne

Nigeria’s U-23 national team, the Olympic Eagles, have started training for next month’s U-23 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against the Democratic Republic of Congo. Twenty-eight players took part in the first training session on Tuesday in Ikenne, Ogun State.

The training was held at Remo Stars Stadium, with head coach Eric Chelle leading the session. The team is getting ready for the important qualifying matches ahead.

Notably, the Rangers International trio of Chimobi Igwilo, Kenneth Igboke, and Chibueze Oputa missed the session. They just returned from Algeria, where they played for their club against MC Alger in the CAF Champions League.

Currently, the Olympic Eagles are based in Ijebu Ode, staying at the AM2PM Hotel. They will keep training at Remo Stars Stadium, which will also host the return leg of the qualifiers.

Despite the rain on Tuesday evening, the players had a light training session to help them ease into preparations. They started with stretching and muscle-relaxing exercises, then moved on to ball work, passing drills, and small-sided games.

The four goalkeepers in camp, Chinemerem Olughu, Clinton Andy, Ebenezer Harcourt, and Michael Atata, trained separately at first under goalkeeper trainer Olatunji Baruwa before joining the rest of the team.

The coaching staff has planned two training sessions for Wednesday at the same venue. The first session will start at 7:30 am, and the second will be at 5 pm, as they ramp up preparations for the qualifiers.

The squad includes players from various Nigeria Premier Football League clubs and other local teams. They have players from Rangers International, Rivers United, Sporting Lagos, Ikorodu City, Nasarawa United, Warri Wolves, Enyimba, and Bendel Insurance, among others.

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
Marvelous Freedom, Ikorodu City
Odinaka Alfred, Nasarawa United
Emmanuel Ochobi, Rivers United
Aliu Sugau, Barau FC
Kenneth Igboke, Rangers International
Chibueze Oputa, Rangers International

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
Alex Oweifaleya, Bendel Insurance
Abdulmuiz Adeleke, Sporting Supreme
Habila Simon, Wikki Tourists
Chimobi Igwilo, Rangers International

As the qualifiers get closer, Chelle and his coaching team are eager to improve the players’ fitness, tactical skills, and teamwork before facing DR Congo in the two-legged contest.