Head Coach Éric Chelle has invited 31 home-based players to the camp of Nigeria’s U23 national team, the Olympic Eagles, ahead of next month’s U23 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying fixture against the Democratic Republic of Congo, reports www.totorinews.com.
The squad comprises four goalkeepers, nine defenders, eight midfielders and 10 forwards as Nigeria begin preparations for the crucial two-legged encounter.
The first leg will take place at the TP Mazembe Stadium in Lubumbashi on Friday, November 13, while the return leg is scheduled for the Remo Stars Stadium in Ikenne-Remo on Tuesday, November 17.
The winner of the tie will advance to the final round of the qualifying series for next year’s U23 AFCON in Egypt, where Africa’s representatives for the men’s football tournament at the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games will emerge.
Nigeria, who have won Olympic football gold at Atlanta 1996, silver at Beijing 2008 and bronze at Rio 2016, have not featured in the men’s football tournament at the Olympics in the past decade.
The Olympic Eagles received a bye into the second qualifying round, while DR Congo secured their place in the tie after overcoming Mauritania over two legs.
All invited players are expected to report at the AM2PM Hotel in Ijebu-Ode on Sunday, October 25.
Full 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 International); Marvelous Freedom (Ikorodu City); Kenneth Igboke (Rangers International); 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 International); Alex Oweifaleya (Bendel Insurance); Abdulmuiz Adeleke (Sporting Supreme); Habila Simon (Wikki Tourists).
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