Nigeria’s preparations for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games have gathered momentum after head coach Éric Chelle named 31 home-based players for the Olympic Eagles’ crucial qualifying fixtures against the Democratic Republic of Congo.
The squad, drawn from clubs across Nigeria’s domestic football leagues, will begin preparations for next month’s two-legged encounter as the country seeks to return to the men’s Olympic football tournament after years of absence.
The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) confirmed that the invited players include four goalkeepers, nine defenders, eight midfielders and 10 forwards.
Nigeria to Face DR Congo in November Qualifiers
The Olympic Eagles will travel to Lubumbashi for the opening leg against DR Congo on Friday, November 13, 2026, at the TP Mazembe Stadium.
The return fixture is scheduled for Tuesday, November 17, at the Remo Stars Stadium in Ikenne-Remo, Ogun State.
The team that progresses on aggregate will qualify for the final round of the 2027 Under-23 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers.
The U-23 AFCON, scheduled to take place in Egypt, will serve as Africa’s qualification pathway for the men’s football competition at the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles, United States.
Nigeria advanced directly to the second qualifying round after receiving a bye, while DR Congo secured its place by overcoming Mauritania in the previous round.
Chelle’s decision to invite 31 home-based players gives footballers competing in Nigeria’s domestic leagues an opportunity to stake their claims for places in the Olympic Eagles squad.
Rivers United, Sporting Lagos, Nasarawa United, Warri Wolves, Ikorodu City, Rangers International and Enyimba are among the clubs represented.
The selection includes players from different departments of the team, providing the coaching staff with options ahead of the decisive fixtures.
All 31 invited players are expected to report to the AM2PM Hotel in Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State, on Sunday, October 25, for the commencement of preparations.
Nigeria Targets Olympic Football Comeback
Nigeria has a distinguished history in men’s Olympic football, highlighted by its gold-medal triumph at the Atlanta 1996 Games.
The country subsequently won silver at Beijing 2008 and bronze at Rio 2016, establishing itself among Africa’s most successful nations in Olympic football.
However, Nigeria failed to qualify for the Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024 men’s football tournaments.
The upcoming qualifying campaign therefore offers the Olympic Eagles another opportunity to restore Nigeria’s presence on the Olympic stage.
A successful result against DR Congo would move the team closer to the 2027 U-23 AFCON and ultimately the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics.
Full List of 31 Players Invited by Éric Chelle
Goalkeepers (4)
Chinemerem Olughu (Nasarawa United), Clinton Andy (Rivers United), Ebenezer Harcourt (Sporting Lagos), Michael Atata (Ikorodu City).
Defenders (9)
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 (8)
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 (10)
Junior Ikechukwu (Ikorodu City), Timothy Zechariah (Rivers United), Williams Wonah (Enyimba FC), Ayoola Olaniyan (Sporting Lagos), Chijioke Samuel (Enyimba FC), Jofrank Joshua (Nasarawa United), Chimobi Igwilo (Rangers International), Alex Oweifaleya (Bendel Insurance), Abdulmuiz Adeleke (Sporting Supreme), Habila Simon (Wikki Tourists).
Olympic Eagles Face Important Test
With qualification for the 2027 U-23 AFCON at stake, the encounter against DR Congo represents an important early challenge for Nigeria’s Olympic ambitions.
The coaching staff will be expected to assess the invited players and prepare a competitive squad capable of securing a favourable result away from home before the return leg in Ogun State.
For the players, the training camp offers an opportunity to impress and compete for places in a team seeking to revive Nigeria’s Olympic football tradition.
