Nigeria’s U-23 national team head coach, Eric Chelle, has named a 23-man squad for the Olympic Eagles’ crucial 2027 Africa U-23 Cup of Nations qualifying matches against the Democratic Republic of Congo.
The squad comprises 16 foreign-based professionals and seven players from Nigerian clubs, with midfielder Daniel Daga, Brighton forward Zadok Yohanna and goalkeeper Michael Atata among the notable selections.
The Nigeria Football Federation announced the squad on Sunday, November 8, 2026, through its official website and Super Eagles social media account.
According to the NFF, the selected players will compete in a two-legged qualifying encounter as Nigeria seeks a place at the 2027 U-23 Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt.
Chelle includes European-based talents
The squad features several players representing clubs across Europe and the Nigerian domestic league.
Molde midfielder Daniel Daga, Fulham’s Chibuzor Nwoko and Reims midfielder John Otomewo are among the seven players selected for the midfield positions.
In attack, Chelle included Benfica forward Peter Edokpolor, Brighton’s Zadok Yohanna, Famalicao’s Umar Abubakar and Sporting Supreme’s Abdulmuiz Adeleke.
Goalkeeper Michael Atata, who has previously received invitations to the senior national team, will compete with Samuel James of Finland’s SJK FC and Rivers United’s Clinton Andy for the starting position.
The defensive selections include Genk’s Christian Akpan, Basel’s Victory Akpe, Tromsø’s Vince Osuji and Emmanuel Godwin of Pardubice.
Nigeria face DR Congo in November double-header
The Olympic Eagles will travel to Lubumbashi for the first leg, scheduled for Friday, November 13, at the Stade TP Mazembe.
The return fixture will take place on Tuesday, November 17, at the Remo Stars Stadium in Ikenne-Remo, Ogun State.
According to the NFF, the seven players based in Nigeria are expected to depart the country on Tuesday, November 10, ahead of the opening encounter.
The winner of the two-legged tie will progress to the final qualifying round for the 2027 U-23 AFCON.
The tournament in Egypt will also determine Africa’s representatives in the men’s football competition at the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.
Nigeria will be hoping to end its absence from Olympic men’s football, having last participated at Rio 2016, where the country won bronze.
Full list of Nigeria’s 23-man squad
Goalkeepers (3)
Samuel James (SJK FC, Finland)
Clinton Andy (Rivers United)
Michael Atata (Ikorodu City)
Defenders (7)
Christian Akpan (Genk FC, Belgium)
Victory Akpe (FC Basel, Switzerland)
Vince Osuji (Tromsø IL, Norway)
Emmanuel Godwin (Pardubice FC, Czechia)
Odinaka Alfred (Nasarawa United)
Emmanuel Ochobi (Rivers United)
Aliu Sugau (Barau FC)
Midfielders (7)
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 (6)
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)
The qualifying fixtures will provide Chelle’s selected players with an opportunity to move Nigeria closer to a return to Olympic men’s football.
The Olympic Eagles previously won gold at the Atlanta 1996 Olympics, silver at Beijing 2008 and bronze at Rio 2016.
