Head coach Éric Chelle has named a 31-man preliminary squad made up exclusively of players from the Nigerian league for the U23 AFCON qualifiers against DR Congo, with the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics in his sights.
Nigeria U23 are eager to return to the Olympic Games. To get there, head coach Éric Chelle is banking on the strength of the domestic league. According to Punch Newspapers, he has called up a 31-man preliminary squad drawn exclusively from the NPFL ahead of the second round of qualifying for the U23 AFCON, which will be held in Egypt. The group consists of 4 goalkeepers, 9 defenders, 8 midfielders and 10 forwards, and will report as early as this Sunday, 25 October, at the AM2PM hotel in Ijebu-Ode for a training camp.
This two-legged tie against DR Congo is a step towards the final tournament, which serves as qualifying for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, according to Kivu Morning Post. The Olympic Eagles, exempt from the first round, enter the fray against a Congolese side that eliminated Mauritania in the previous round.
A preliminary squad with no overseas players
Among the 31 players selected, goalkeeper Chinemerem Olughu, who plays for Nasarawa United, is one of the four goalkeepers called up. Sporting Lagos and Ikorodu City provide the largest contingents of players, according to Punch Newspapers. This preliminary squad is not final.
No overseas-based players are involved in this call-up, with Chelle choosing to rely solely on players from the domestic league for this gathering.
First leg in Lubumbashi, return leg in Ikenne-Remo
The first leg will be played on 13 November 2026 at TP Mazembe stadium in Lubumbashi, DR Congo. The return leg is scheduled for 17 November 2026 at Remo Stars stadium in Ikenne-Remo.
Nigeria are aiming for a return to the Olympic Games after missing the last two editions, in Tokyo in 2020 and Paris in 2024. The U23 AFCON final tournament, to be held in Egypt, will deliver Africa’s qualifying tickets for Los Angeles 2028.
DR Congo, the first hurdle
DR Congo, for their part, already have a round under their belt: they eliminated Mauritania in the previous round, according to Punch Newspapers.
Between the camp starting on Sunday, 25 October in Ijebu-Ode and the first leg on 13 November, the head coach has just under three weeks to prepare his players.