8.11.2026
Super Eagles coach Èric Chelle who is guiding the Nigeria U-23 campaign to earn a spot at the 2028 Olympics has called up goalkeeper Michael Atata, midfielder Daniel Daga and junior international Abdulmuiz Adeleke to beef up the squad of 23 players.
To earn the Olympics slot Nigeria will have to play Congo DR first to qualify for the U23 Africa Cup of Nations where the three African automatic slots and a potential play-off ticket will be selected.
Atata, who has been called to the Super Eagles on a number of occasions, will contend with SJK FC’s Samuel James and fellow home-boy Clinton Andy for the number one jersey as Nigeria seek a place in the finals to be staged in Egypt 2027.
There are also defenders Victory Akpe, Vince Osuji and Emmanuel Ochobi, midfielders Chibuzor Nwoko and Aderemi Adeoye, and forwards Peter Edokpolor, Zadok Yohanna and Umar Abubakar.
The seven players on the roster who play their club football in Nigeria will depart the country on Tuesday, ahead of the first leg of the fixture scheduled for the Stade TP Mazembe in Lubumbashi on Friday, 13th November. The return leg will hold at the Remo Stars Stadium, Ikenne-Remo on Tuesday, 17th November.
23 PLAYERS FOR BIG BATTLES WITH DR CONGO:
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)