U23 National Team Calls Up 31 Players for DR Congo Match

Head Coach Éric Chelle has called up 31 players for the U23 National Team, known as the Olympic Eagles. This is ahead of their important match against the U23 team from the Democratic Republic of Congo next month in the U23 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.

The squad includes four goalkeepers, nine defenders, eight midfielders, and ten forwards.

The first leg will be played at TP Mazembe Stadium in Lubumbashi on Friday, 13th November. The second leg will take place at Remo Stars Stadium in Ikenne-Remo on Tuesday, 17th November.

The team that wins on aggregate will move on to the final round of qualifying for the U23 AFCON. This tournament is set to happen in Egypt next year, where Africa's teams for the Los Angeles Olympic Men's Football Tournament will be decided.

Nigeria has a strong history in Olympic football, winning gold in Atlanta 1996, silver in Beijing 2008, and bronze in Rio de Janeiro 2016. However, they have not played in the Olympic Men's Football Tournament for the last ten years.

The Olympic Eagles received a bye into this second round. Meanwhile, DR Congo advanced by beating Mauritania in their previous matches to face Nigeria.

All players are expected to report to AM2PM Hotel in Ijebu-Ode on Sunday, 25th October.

LIST OF INVITED PLAYERS:

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); Chibueze Oputa (Rangers Int’l); Marvellous Freedom (Ikorodu City); Kenneth Igboke (Rangers Int’l); Odinaka Alfred (Nasarawa United); Emmanuel Ochobi (Rivers United); Aliu Sugau (Barau FC).

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); Chimobi Igwilo (Rangers Int’l); Alex Oweifaleya (Bendel Insurance); Abdulmuiz Adeleke (Sporting Supreme); Habila Simon (Wikki Tourists).