Nigeria’s preparations for a demanding two-legged qualifying contest against the Democratic Republic of Congo have gathered momentum, with Eric Chelle turning to a blend of domestic and European-based players as the Olympic Eagles begin their campaign to reach the 2027 Africa U-23 Cup of Nations.
The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has unveiled a 23-man squad for the encounter, with goalkeeper Michael Atata, midfielder Daniel Daga and junior international Abdulmuiz Adeleke among the notable selections.
Chelle, who also oversees the senior Super Eagles, has included several players developing their careers in Europe, reflecting the range of options available to Nigeria ahead of the important qualifying tie.
Atata, who has received invitations to the senior national team on several occasions, will compete for the goalkeeping position with Samuel James of Finland’s SJK FC and Clinton Andy of Rivers United.
The defensive options include Christian Akpan, who plays for Belgian side Genk, Victory Akpe of FC Basel in Switzerland and Vince Osuji of Norway’s Tromsø IL. Emmanuel Godwin, who represents Pardubice in the Czech Republic, also features alongside domestic-based defenders Odinaka Alfred, Emmanuel Ochobi and Aliu Sugau.
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In midfield, Chelle has selected Daga, who plays for Norwegian club Model, alongside John Otomewo of Reims in France and Wilfred George of Kristiansund, also in Norway. Chibuzor Nwoko, who is attached to English side Fulham, is another notable inclusion.
The midfield group is completed by Aderemi Adeoye of Ikorodu City, Sadiq Saleh of Latvian club FC Metta and Victor Samuel of Pardubice.
Nigeria’s attacking options feature players based in some of Europe’s leading football environments. Peter Edokpolor, who plays for Portuguese giants Benfica, has been included alongside Sulaiman Sani of Saudi Arabia’s Al-Qadsiah and Umar Abubakar of FC Famalicao.
Zadok Yohanna, who represents English Premier League side Brighton, is also in the squad, with Abdullahi Umar of Czech club Hradec Kralove and Abdulmuiz Adeleke of Sporting Supreme completing the forward selection.
Seven players from the domestic league have made the final cut, with the rest of the squad drawn from clubs in Europe and Saudi Arabia.
The first leg will take place on Friday, November 13, at the Stade TP Mazembe in Lubumbashi, DR Congo. The seven players based in Nigeria are expected to depart the country on Tuesday ahead of the encounter.
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The return fixture is scheduled for Tuesday, November 17, at the Remo Stars Stadium in Ikenne-Remo, Ogun State, where the Olympic Eagles will look to secure progress in front of their home supporters.
The two-legged contest represents an important hurdle in Nigeria’s pursuit of a place at the 2027 U-23 Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt. The tournament will also serve as the qualifying competition for Africa’s representatives in the men’s football event at the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.
Nigeria’s 23-man squad for DR Congo
Goalkeepers: Samuel James (SJK FC, Finland); Clinton Andy (Rivers United); Michael Atata (Ikorodu City).
Defenders: Christian Akpan (Genk FC, Belgium); Victory Akpe (FC Basel, Switzerland); Vince Osuji (Tromsø IL FC, Norway); Emmanuel Godwin (Pardubice FC, Czechia); Odinaka Alfred (Nasarawa United); Emmanuel Ochobi (Rivers United); Aliu Sugau (Barau FC).
Midfielders: John Otomewo (Reims FC, France); Daniel Daga (Molde FC, Norway); Wilfred George (Kristiansund FC, Norway); Chibuzor Nwoko (Fulham FC, England); Aderemi Adeoye (Ikorodu City); Sadiq Saleh (FC Metta, Latvia); Victor Samuel (Pardubice FC, Czechia).
Forwards: Peter Edokpolor (SL Benfica, Portugal); Sulaiman Sani (Al-Qadsiah FC, Saudi Arabia); Umar Abubakar (FC Famalicao, Portugal); Zadok Yohanna (Brighton FC, England); Abdullahi Umar (Hradec Kralove, Czechia); Abdulmuiz Adeleke (Sporting Supreme).
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