2028 Olympics Qualifiers: Chelle Unveils 31-Man Squad for DR Congo Clash

Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle has unveiled a 31-man squad for the U23 National Team, the Olympic Eagles, ahead of their 2028 Olympics qualifying clash against the Democratic Republic of Congo.

TP Mazembe Stadium in Lubumbashi will host the first leg which is scheduled for Friday, 13 November, with the return leg to be played at Remo Stars Stadium in Ikenne-Remo on Tuesday, 17 November.

As revealed, the winner of the two-legged tie will advance to the final round of qualifying for next year’s U23 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Egypt, where Africa’s representatives at the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Men’s Football Tournament will emerge.

The Olympic Eagles received a bye into the second round, while DR Congo secured their place by edging Mauritania over two legs.

Chelle will be hoping to guide Nigeria back to the Olympics, with the Atlanta 1996 gold medallists having missed the men’s football tournament at the past two editions.

All invited players are expected to report to the AM2PM Hotel in Ijebu-Ode on Sunday, 25 October.

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); 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 Int’l); Alex Oweifaleya (Bendel Insurance); Abdulmuiz Adeleke (Sporting Supreme); Habila Simon (Wikki Tourists)