Éric Chelle Names 23-Man Olympic Eagles Squad for DR Congo Qualifier

Nigeria’s Olympic Eagles head coach, Éric Chelle, has named a 23-man squad for the team’s 2027 Africa U-23 Cup of Nations second-round qualifying tie against the Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo).

The squad combines players from Nigerian clubs with young talents based in Europe and other foreign leagues. It features seven home-based players and 16 footballers playing abroad.

Some of the notable foreign-based selections include Peter Edokpolor, Zadok Yohanna, Samuel James, Daniel Daga, Victory Akpe and Vince Osuji.

The team and its official delegation are scheduled to leave Nigeria on Tuesday ahead of the first leg in Lubumbashi.

Olympic Eagles’ Fixtures Against DR Congo

Nigeria will play the first leg at the TP Mazembe Stadium in Lubumbashi on Friday, November 13, 2026.

The return fixture is scheduled for Tuesday, November 17, at the Remo Stars Stadium in Ikenne-Remo, Ogun State.

The two matches will determine which team progresses in the qualifying campaign for the 2027 Africa U-23 Cup of Nations.

Full List of Nigeria’s 23-Man Squad

Goalkeepers

1. Samuel James – SJK FC, Finland
2. Clinton Andy – Rivers United, Nigeria
3. Michael Atata – Ikorodu City, Nigeria

Defenders

1. Christian Akpan – Genk FC, Belgium
2. Victory Akpe – FC Basel, Switzerland
3. Vince Osuji – Tromsø IL FC, Norway
4. Emmanuel Godwin – Pardubice FC, Czechia
5. Odinaka Alfred – Nasarawa United, Nigeria
6. Emmanuel Ochobi – Rivers United, Nigeria
7. Aliu Sugau – Barau FC, Nigeria

Also Read: Efya Marries Nigerian Singer Tómi Thomas in Ghana

Midfielders

1. John Otomewo – Reims FC, France
2. Daniel Daga – Molde FC, Norway
3. Wilfred George – Kristiansund FC, Norway
4. Chibuzor Nwoko – Fulham FC, England
5. Aderemi Adeoye – Ikorodu City, Nigeria
6. Sadiq Saleh – FC Metta, Latvia
7. Victor Samuel – Pardubice FC, Czechia

Forwards

1. Peter Edokpolor – SL Benfica, Portugal
2. Sulaiman Sani – Al-Qadsiah FC, Saudi Arabia
3. Umar Abubakar – FC Famalicão, Portugal
4. Zadok Yohanna – Brighton FC, England
5. Abdullahi Umar – Hradec Králové, Czechia
6. Abdulmuiz Adeleke – Sporting Supreme

The Olympic Eagles will be looking to secure a positive result across both legs as they pursue qualification for the 2027 continental tournament.