Brighton forward, Zadok Yohanna and Molde FC midfielder Daniel Daga have been named in Nigeria’s 23-man squad for the U-23 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying encounter against the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Head coach Èric Chelle included the duo among the players expected to help the Olympic Eagles secure qualification for next year’s tournament in Egypt, which will also serve as the qualifying competition for Africa’s representatives at the men’s football event of the 2028 Olympic Games.
Goalkeeper Michael Atata and junior international Abdulmuiz Adeleke are also part of the squad. Atata will compete with SJK FC’s Samuel James and Clinton Andy for the starting goalkeeper position.
Atata, who has received invitations to the senior national team on several occasions, will be hoping to establish himself as Nigeria’s first-choice goalkeeper for the important two-legged fixture.
Other notable selections include defenders Christian Akpan, Victory Akpe, Vince Osuji and Emmanuel Godwin, while Daniel Daga, Chibuzor Nwoko, Wilfred George and Aderemi Adeoye are among the midfield options.
The attacking department features Peter Edokpolor, Sulaiman Sani, Umar Abubakar and Yohanna.
The seven home-based players in the squad are expected to leave Nigeria on Tuesday for the first leg, scheduled to take place at the Stade TP Mazembe in Lubumbashi on Friday, November 13.
The return fixture will be played at the Remo Stars Stadium in Ikenne-Remo on Tuesday, November 17.
Nigeria, who enjoyed a bye in the opening qualifying round, must eliminate DR Congo over two legs to advance to the final round of the qualifiers.
Meanwhile, assistant coach Deniran Ortega will take charge of the Olympic Eagles for the encounter, as Chelle concentrates on the Super Eagles’ 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying double-header against Tanzania.
Ortega, who has supervised the home-based players since the team’s camp opened two weeks ago, will work alongside Ikorodu City head coach Bright Ozebagbe in the absence of the Franco-Malian tactician.
According to ACL Sports, Ortega handled most of the team’s training sessions on Thursday and was also on the touchline during their friendly victory over Grassrunners on Friday before the team’s departure for DR Congo.
Chelle’s responsibility for both the senior national team and the U-23 side under his new contract has created a scheduling challenge, with the two teams’ international fixtures falling within the same window.
The Olympic Eagles will face DR Congo in Lubumbashi on Friday, November 13, the same day the Super Eagles host Tanzania at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo.
The scheduling clash will also extend to the return fixtures on November 17, when Nigeria’s U-23 team host DR Congo in Ikenne, while the senior side take on Tanzania in their Matchday four encounter.
THE FULL SQUAD
Goalkeepers: Samuel James (SJK FC, Finland); Clinton Andy (Rivers United); 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); 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); Victor Samuel (Pardubice FC, Czechia).
Forwards: 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).
