Nigeria’s Olympic Eagles have departed for Lubumbashi ahead of Friday’s 2027 Africa U-23 Cup of Nations qualifying encounter against the Democratic Republic of Congo, with assistant coaches Deniran Ortega and Bright Ozebagbe taking charge of the team.
Head coach Éric Chelle, who also oversees the U-23 side, is currently with the Super Eagles in Uyo as preparations intensify for their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying fixture against Tanzania.
The scheduling overlap has left Ortega and Ozebagbe responsible for leading the Olympic Eagles through the crucial two-legged encounter, which will determine Nigeria’s progress towards the continental finals in Egypt.
Chelle had earlier named a 23-man squad for the assignment, featuring 15 foreign-based professionals and eight players from the domestic league.
The squad received a late adjustment following the withdrawal of Al-Qadsiah forward Sulaiman Sani because of injury. Nasarawa United striker Prince Bawa Oche was subsequently invited as his replacement.
The selection includes goalkeeper Michael Atata, midfielder Daniel Daga and forward Abdulmuiz Adeleke, alongside several promising players competing in European leagues.
Full list of Nigeria’s 23-man squad
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, 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), Umar Abubakar (FC Famalicao, Portugal), Zadok Yohanna (Brighton FC, England), Abdullahi Umar (Hradec Kralove, Czechia), Abdulmuiz Adeleke (Sporting Supreme), Prince Bawa Oche (Nasarawa United).
Nigeria will face DR Congo in the first leg at the TP Mazembe Stadium in Lubumbashi on Friday, November 13, with kick-off scheduled for 3pm local time.
The return leg will take place on Tuesday, November 17, at the Remo Stars Stadium in Ikenne, Ogun State.
The aggregate winner will advance to the final qualifying round of the 2027 U-23 AFCON in Egypt, where Africa’s representatives for the men’s football tournament at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games will emerge.
For Nigeria, the encounter represents an important step towards returning to the Olympic football tournament, having missed the last two editions.
With Chelle committed to the senior national team, Ortega and Ozebagbe now carry the responsibility of guiding the Olympic Eagles through a demanding qualifying test against the Congolese.
