Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle has departed Nigeria’s U-23 team camp to concentrate on the senior national team’s 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifying fixtures against Tanzania.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
Chelle, who also supervises the Olympic Eagles, will be unavailable for Nigeria’s two-legged U-23 AFCON qualifying tie against the Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo) because both teams have matches scheduled during the same international window.
The Olympic Eagles are scheduled to travel to Lubumbashi for the first leg against DR Congo on Friday, November 13. The encounter will take place on the same day the Super Eagles host Tanzania at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo.
The return leg is slated for Tuesday, November 17, in Ikenne, coinciding with Nigeria’s second meeting with Tanzania.
In Chelle’s absence, assistant coach Deniran Ortega will oversee the Olympic Eagles, working alongside Ikorodu City head coach Bright Ozebagbe.
Ortega reportedly conducted most of the team’s training sessions on Thursday and led the technical crew during their friendly victory over Grassrunners on Friday, ahead of the squad’s departure for the first leg.
Meanwhile, Chelle has selected 23 players for the Super Eagles’ AFCON qualifying matches against Tanzania. Among the notable inclusions are Brighton forward Zadok Yohanna and Molde FC midfielder Daniel Daga.
Goalkeeper Michael Atata and junior international Abdulmuiz Adeleke have also earned places in the squad. Atata will compete for the goalkeeping position alongside Samuel James of SJK FC and Clinton Andy.
Other notable selections include defenders Victory Akpe, Vince Osuji and Emmanuel Ochobi, as well as midfielders Chibuzor Nwoko and Aderemi Adeoye.
The attacking options also feature Peter Edokpolor and Umar Abubakar.
The seven home-based players in the squad are expected to depart Nigeria on Tuesday for the Olympic Eagles’ first-leg encounter against DR Congo at the Stade TP Mazembe in Lubumbashi.
Full Nigeria U-23 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 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).