The invited players are expected to report to the AM2PM Hotel in Ijebu-Ode on Sunday, October 25, as preparations begin for a two-legged encounter that could take Nigeria one step closer to a return to Olympic men’s football.
The first leg will be played at the TP Mazembe Stadium in Lubumbashi on Friday, November 13, before the teams meet again at Remo Stars Stadium in Ikenne-Remo on Tuesday, November 17.
Progress over the two legs would send Nigeria into the final qualifying round of the U-23 Africa Cup of Nations, scheduled to take place in Egypt next year. The tournament will determine Africa’s representatives in the men’s football competition at Los Angeles 2028.
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Chelle’s 31-man selection comprises four goalkeepers, nine defenders, eight midfielders and 10 forwards, giving the technical crew an opportunity to assess players from across Nigeria’s domestic game ahead of the November fixtures.
The goalkeepers invited are Chinemerem Olughu of Nasarawa United, Clinton Andy of Rivers United, Ebenezer Harcourt of Sporting Lagos and Michael Atata of Ikorodu City.
The defensive options include Gift Subi of Warri Wolves, Hillary Zion of Sporting Lagos, Emmanuel Utake of Rivers United, Chibueze Oputa and Kenneth Igboke of Rangers International, Marvelous Freedom of Ikorodu City, Odinaka Alfred of Nasarawa United, Emmanuel Ochobi of Rivers United and Aliu Sugau of Barau FC.
In midfield, Chelle has selected Freeman Wuchirwe of Bendel Insurance, Victor Samuel and Muhammad Salihu of Sporting Lagos, Umar Mohammed of Nasarawa United, Lucky Oraro and Sani Shuaibu of Warri Wolves, Aderemi Adeoye of Ikorodu City and Jude Eventus, also of Warri Wolves.
The forward line features Junior Ikechukwu of Ikorodu City, Timothy Zechariah of Rivers United, Williams Wonah and Chijioke Samuel of Enyimba, Ayoola Olaniyan of Sporting Lagos, Abdulmuiz Adeleke of Sporting Supreme, Jofrank Joshua of Nasarawa United, Chimobi Igwilo of Rangers International, Alex Oweifaleya of Bendel Insurance and Habila Simon of Wikki Tourists.
The camp will give the coaching staff time to assess the selected players before deciding who can contribute to Nigeria’s bid to advance through the qualifiers.
A return to the Olympic stage at stake
The assignment carries added significance for Nigeria, whose history in Olympic men’s football includes gold at Atlanta 1996, silver at Beijing 2008 and bronze at Rio 2016.
However, the country has not featured in the men’s Olympic football tournament since the 2016 Games, leaving the current qualification campaign as an opportunity to return to a competition where Nigeria has previously enjoyed major success.
The Olympic Eagles received a bye into the second qualifying round, while DR Congo secured their place by eliminating Mauritania over two legs.
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With the first leg scheduled for Lubumbashi, Nigeria’s home-based invitees will have a short window to make their case for selection and prepare for a challenging away fixture before the return match in Ikenne-Remo.
Chelle’s immediate task is to shape the group into a competitive side capable of navigating the Congolese challenge. Beyond November, the broader objective is clear: keep Nigeria’s qualification hopes alive and move closer to a place at Los Angeles 2028.
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