Olympic Eagles Face DR Congo Roadblock As Chelle Calls 31 Home-Based Stars
By TAYO TAIWO (T. T.) OLUWOLE
NIGERIA’S quest to return to the men’s football tournament at the Olympic Games will enter a critical stage next month, with 31 home-based players invited to the Olympic Eagles ahead of their two-legged qualifying contest against the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Super Eagles head coach Éric Chelle has named the provisional group as Nigeria prepare for the second round of the U-23 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers. The players are expected to report to the AM2PM Hotel in Ijebu-Ode on Sunday 25 October, where preparations will begin for the demanding November fixtures.
Although the invitation gives the selected players an opportunity to impress the coaching crew, Nigeria must first navigate the Congolese challenge before progressing further in the competition.
Lubumbashi First, Ikenne-Remo Next
The Olympic Eagles will face their first test away from home at the TP Mazembe Stadium in Lubumbashi on Friday 13 November. Subsequently, both teams will meet again at Remo Stars Stadium in Ikenne-Remo on Tuesday 17 November, for the return leg.
The outcome over the two matches will determine which team advances to the final qualifying round of the U-23 Africa Cup of Nations, scheduled for Egypt in 2027. That tournament will also determine Africa’s representatives in the men’s football event at the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.
Nigeria have a bye into this qualifying round, while DR Congo advanced after defeating Mauritania over two legs. Therefore, the Nigerian side must approach the encounter with sufficient preparation, discipline and consistency to secure the aggregate victory.
Domestic Clubs Supply the 31-Man Group
Chelle’s selection consists of four goalkeepers, nine defenders, eight midfielders and 10 forwards. The list draws entirely from clubs in Nigeria’s domestic football system, with players from several teams represented across the four departments.
The goalkeepers are Chinemerem Olughu of Nasarawa United, Clinton Andy of Rivers United, Ebenezer Harcourt of Sporting Lagos and Michael Atata of Ikorodu City.
For the defence, the invitees are Gift Subi of Warri Wolves, Hillary Zion of Sporting Lagos, Emmanuel Utake of Rivers United, Chibueze Oputa and Kenneth Igboke of Rangers International, Marvelous Freedom of Ikorodu City, Odinaka Alfred of Nasarawa United, Emmanuel Ochobi of Rivers United and Aliu Sugau of Barau FC.
Chelle has selected Freeman Wuchirwe of Bendel Insurance, Victor Samuel and Muhammad Salihu of Sporting Lagos, Umar Mohammed of Nasarawa United, Lucky Oraro, Sani Shuaibu and Jude Eventus of Warri Wolves, and Aderemi Adeoye of Ikorodu City for midfield duties.
The 10 forwards are Junior Ikechukwu of Ikorodu City, Timothy Zechariah of Rivers United, Williams Wonah and Chijioke Samuel of Enyimba FC, Ayoola Olaniyan of Sporting Lagos, Jofrank Joshua of Nasarawa United, Chimobi Igwilo of Rangers International, Alex Oweifaleya of Bendel Insurance, Abdulmuiz Adeleke of Sporting Supreme and Habila Simon of Wikki Tourists.
Olympic History Raises the Stakes
Nigeria’s Olympic football record provides a compelling reason to pursue qualification. The country won the gold medal at Atlanta 1996, secured silver at Beijing 2008 and claimed bronze at Rio 2016. However, the Olympic Eagles have not featured at the men’s football tournament since Rio.
Consequently, overcoming DR Congo would represent an important step towards ending that absence. Still, the team must progress through the remaining qualifying stages before it can secure a place at the 2028 Games.
The October camp will therefore provide the coaching crew with an opportunity to assess the players and organise the team ahead of the first leg. For the invited footballers, meanwhile, the challenge is to demonstrate their readiness for international competition.
Nigeria’s immediate objective remains clear: negotiate the two-legged tie successfully, advance to the final qualifying round and keep the country’s Olympic ambitions alive.
