According to a report by OwnGoalNigeria on Thursday, October 22, 2026, Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle has invited 31 home-based players to the Olympic Eagles camp ahead of Nigeria’s U-23 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying fixture against the Democratic Republic of Congo.

The invited players will begin preparations for the two-legged second-round qualifying tie scheduled for November.

The squad comprises four goalkeepers, nine defenders, eight midfielders and 10 forwards.

The first leg will take place at the TP Mazembe Stadium in Lubumbashi on Friday, November 13, while the return leg is scheduled for the Remo Stars Stadium in Ikenne-Remo on Tuesday, November 17.

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

Nigeria received a bye into the second round of the qualifying campaign, while DR Congo advanced after eliminating Mauritania over two legs.

The winner of the tie will progress to the final qualifying round of the U-23 AFCON, scheduled to be hosted by Egypt in 2027.

The tournament will also determine Africa’s representatives at the men’s football competition of the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games.

Nigeria have won Olympic football gold, silver, and bronze medals, but the country has not participated in the men’s Olympic football tournament in the past 10 years.

Chelle and his technical team will hope to assemble a competitive squad capable of overcoming DR Congo and keeping Nigeria’s qualification hopes alive.

Full 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 International), Marvelous Freedom (Ikorodu City), Kenneth Igboke (Rangers International), 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), 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).