Nigeria’s Olympic Eagles have assembled their full complement of 31 invited home-based players in camp as preparations intensify for their crucial U-23 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying encounter against the Democratic Republic of Congo.
The team began training on Tuesday, October 27, at the Remo Stars Stadium in Ikenne, Ogun State, with 28 players participating in the opening session before three Rangers International players joined the group later in the day.
The trio of Chimobi Igwilo, Kenneth Igboke and Chibueze Oputa arrived after featuring for the Enugu-based club in their continental engagement against MC Alger, completing the squad assembled by head coach Éric Chelle.
The 31-man selection comprises four goalkeepers, nine defenders, eight midfielders and 10 forwards, with players drawn from Nigeria’s domestic football scene.
The assignment represents an important hurdle in Nigeria’s bid to return to the men’s football tournament at the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.
Full List of 31 Invited Olympic Eagles Players
Goalkeepers (4)
- Chinemerem Olughu — Nasarawa United
- Clinton Andy — Rivers United
- Ebenezer Harcourt — Sporting Lagos
- Michael Atata — Ikorodu City
Defenders (9)
- 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 (8)
- 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 (10)
- Junior Ikechukwu — Ikorodu City
- Timothy Zechariah — Rivers United
- Williams Wonah — Enyimba
- Ayoola Olaniyan — Sporting Lagos
- Chijioke Samuel — Enyimba
- Jofrank Joshua — Nasarawa United
- Chimobi Igwilo — Rangers International
- Alex Oweifaleya — Bendel Insurance
- Abdulmuiz Adeleke — Sporting Supreme
- Habila Simon — Wikki Tourists
Chelle Faces Crucial Test Against DR Congo
Nigeria will face DR Congo in the second qualifying round of the U-23 Africa Cup of Nations, with the first leg scheduled for Friday, November 13, at the TP Mazembe Stadium in Lubumbashi.
The return leg is scheduled for Tuesday, November 17, at the Remo Stars Stadium in Ikenne-Remo.
Nigeria received a bye into this stage of the qualifiers, while DR Congo advanced after overcoming Mauritania over two legs.
The winner of the tie will progress to the final qualifying round of the U-23 Africa Cup of Nations, scheduled to take place in Egypt in 2027. The tournament will determine Africa’s representatives at the men’s football competition of the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.
Nigeria Targets Olympic Return
Nigeria have a distinguished history in Olympic men’s football, winning gold at Atlanta 1996, silver at Beijing 2008 and bronze at Rio 2016.
However, the country has missed the last two editions of the Olympic Games, making the current qualification campaign particularly important for the Olympic Eagles.
With the full squad now available, Chelle and his technical crew will focus on tactical organisation, team cohesion and identifying the players capable of delivering against a formidable Congolese side.
The immediate objective is to secure a favourable result in Lubumbashi before the return leg in Ikenne, keeping Nigeria’s hopes of reaching the 2027 U-23 AFCON and ultimately qualifying for Los Angeles 2028 firmly on track.
