Eric Chelle names 31-man Olympic Eagles squad for DR Congo qualifiers

Nigeria head coach Eric Chelle has called up 31 home-based players for the Olympic Eagles’ two-legged 2026 U-23 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying tie against the Democratic Republic of Congo.

The squad includes four goalkeepers, nine defenders, eight midfielders and 10 forwards. All selected players are expected at the AM2PM Hotel in Ijebu-Ode on Sunday, October 25, when preparations will begin.

Nigeria have received a bye into the second round, while the Democratic Republic of Congo reached this stage after beating Mauritania over two legs. The winner of the tie will advance to the final qualifying round.

The first leg is scheduled for the TP Mazembe Stadium in Lubumbashi on Friday, November 13. Nigeria will host the return fixture at the Remo Stars Stadium in Ikenne-Remo on Tuesday, November 17.

The qualification campaign is an important step in Nigeria’s bid to return to the Men’s Football Tournament at the Olympic Games. The 2026 U-23 Africa Cup of Nations, to be held in Egypt, will decide Africa’s representatives at the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Men’s Football Tournament.

Nigeria won Olympic football gold at Atlanta 1996, silver at Beijing 2008 and bronze at Rio de Janeiro 2016. However, the country have not appeared in the men’s football competition at the Olympic Games for the past 10 years, missing Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024.

Chelle’s squad will now travel to Lubumbashi for the opening match before returning to Nigeria for the second leg four days later.

The Olympic Eagles squad

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