According to a report by OwnGoalNigeria on Thursday, October 22, 2026, Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle has called up 31 home-based footballers to the Olympic Eagles camp as Nigeria prepare for their U-23 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying encounter against the Democratic Republic of Congo.

The invited players are expected to begin preparations for the crucial two-legged second-round qualifying tie scheduled for November. The selection consists of four goalkeepers, nine defenders, eight midfielders and 10 forwards, providing the technical crew with several options across the different positions.

Nigeria will play the first leg at the TP Mazembe Stadium in Lubumbashi on Friday, November 13. The return fixture will take place at the Remo Stars Stadium in Ikenne-Remo on Tuesday, November 17, where the Olympic Eagles will aim to secure qualification for the next stage.

All 31 players have been instructed to arrive at the AM2PM Hotel in Ijebu-Ode on Sunday, October 25, to commence preparations for the upcoming fixtures. The coaching staff will use the camp to assess the players and build a competitive team capable of overcoming their Congolese opponents.

Nigeria secured direct passage into the second qualifying round, while the Democratic Republic of Congo earned their place after defeating Mauritania across two legs. Both teams will now compete for a place in the final qualifying round.

The winner of the encounter will advance to the last qualifying stage for the 2027 U-23 Africa Cup of Nations, which Egypt is scheduled to host. The competition is particularly important because it will determine Africa's representatives in the men's football tournament at the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.

Nigeria have enjoyed considerable success in Olympic football, winning gold, silver and bronze medals in previous editions. However, the country has been absent from the men's Olympic football competition for the past decade.

Chelle and his technical team will therefore be determined to guide the Olympic Eagles through the qualifying campaign and restore Nigeria's presence on the Olympic stage.

The invited goalkeepers are Chinemerem Olughu of Nasarawa United, Clinton Andy of Rivers United, Ebenezer Harcourt of Sporting Lagos and Michael Atata of Ikorodu City.

The defenders are Gift Subi, Hillary Zion, Emmanuel Utake, Chibueze Oputa, Marvelous Freedom, Kenneth Igboke, Odinaka Alfred, Emmanuel Ochobi and Aliu Sugau.

The midfielders are Freeman Wuchirwe, Victor Samuel, Umar Mohammed, Lucky Oraro, Aderemi Adeoye, Sani Shuaibu, Muhammad Salihu and Jude Eventus.

The forwards are Junior Ikechukwu, Timothy Zechariah, Williams Wonah, Ayoola Olaniyan, Chijioke Samuel, Jofrank Joshua, Chimobi Igwilo, Alex Oweifaleya, Abdulmuiz Adeleke and Habila Simon.