Chelle will be eager to guide Nigeria back to the Olympic men’s football tournament after the country missed out on the last two editions.
By Kehinde Okeowo
Super Eagles head coach Éric Chelle has announced a 31-man squad invited to Nigeria’s U-23 Eagles camp ahead of their 2027 Africa U-23 Cup of Nations qualifying encounter against the Democratic Republic of Congo.
The Malian tactician named the invited players—who are drawn entirely from domestic clubs—on 22 October 2026.
All invited players, comprising four goalkeepers, nine defenders, eight midfielders, and 10 forwards, are expected to report to the AM2PM Hotel in Ijebu-Ode on Sunday.
Nigeria received a bye into the second round of the qualifiers, while DR Congo booked their place after overcoming Mauritania over two legs.
The East Africans will host the first leg at the TP Mazembe Stadium in Lubumbashi on Friday, 13 November 2026, whilst the return leg is scheduled to take place four days later at the Remo Stars Sports Complex in Ikenne.
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The winner on aggregate over the two legs will advance to the final round of qualification.
Egypt will host the 2027 Africa U-23 Cup of Nations, which will also serve as the qualifying tournament to determine Africa’s representatives at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games.
Nigeria will be keen to return to the Olympic men’s football tournament after missing out on the last two editions. The country boasts a rich history in the competition, having won gold at Atlanta 1996, silver at Beijing 2008, and bronze at Rio 2016.
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 Int’l), Marvelous 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), Muhammed Salisu (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)
