Coach Eric Chelle has named a 23-man squad for Nigeria’s double-header against the Democratic Republic of Congo in the qualifying series for the CAF Under-23 Africa Cup of Nations.
The Nigeria Football Federation announced the squad on its official X handle on Monday.
The first leg will take place at the Stade TP Mazembe in Lubumbashi on November 13, while the return leg is scheduled for November 17 at the Remo Stars Stadium in Ikenne-Remo, Ogun State.
Nigeria are seeking qualification for the 2027 U-23 AFCON, scheduled to be held in Egypt in November 2027. The tournament will determine Africa’s representatives at the 2028 Olympic Men’s Football Tournament in Los Angeles, United States.
Africa’s allocation for the Olympic men’s football event has been reduced from three places to two, meaning only the finalists of the 2027 U-23 AFCON will qualify for the Games, scheduled for July 14 to 30, 2028.
The squad comprises three goalkeepers, seven defenders, seven midfielders and six forwards.
Goalkeepers: Samuel James (SJK FC, Finland), Clinton Andy (Rivers United) and 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) and 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) and Victor Samuel (Pardubice FC, Czechia).
Forwards: Peter Edokpolor (SL Benfica, Portugal), Sulaiman Sani (Al-Qadsiah FC, Saudi Arabia), Umar Abubakar (FC Famalicão, Portugal), Zadok Yohanna (Brighton FC, England), Abdullahi Umar (Hradec Kralove, Czechia) and Abdulmuiz Adeleke (Sporting Supreme).
