According to a report by OwnGoalNigeria on Tuesday, October 20, 2026, Nigeria’s U-23 national team has invited Ukraine-based goalkeeper Abdulmajeed Danladi ahead of their upcoming Africa Cup of Nations qualifying matches against the Democratic Republic of Congo.

The 20-year-old shot-stopper has reportedly attracted the attention of head coach Eric Chelle through his performances for Kryvbas U-21 in Ukraine. His invitation offers him an opportunity to demonstrate his abilities at international level as Nigeria prepares for the important two-legged encounter.

Danladi has steadily progressed through the youth ranks at Kryvbas since joining the club’s development system. He moved from the U-19 team to the U-21 side two years ago, marking another stage in his development as a goalkeeper.

His progress has also brought him closer to the senior team, with the young Nigerian earning places on the bench for Kryvbas’ first-team league matches this season. Although he is still developing his career, the experience could help prepare him for the demands of international football.

The invitation to the U-23 squad represents an important opportunity for Danladi to compete for a place in the team ahead of the qualifiers. He is expected to travel to the Democratic Republic of Congo for the first leg before returning to Nigeria with the squad for the return fixture.

Chelle is reportedly considering a combination of locally based footballers and players competing abroad as he works to assemble a competitive team for the qualifying campaign. The approach would allow the coaching staff to assess several options while selecting players capable of delivering results over the two matches.

However, Danladi’s invitation does not necessarily mean he will start either encounter. His position in the team will depend on the coach’s assessment of the available goalkeepers and their performances during preparations.

The report also indicates that Chelle is expected to invite three goalkeepers from clubs competing in the Nigeria Premier Football League, alongside two other shot-stoppers based outside the country.

This potential selection would create strong competition for the goalkeeping positions, giving the coaching staff several options to consider before the matches.

For Danladi, the opportunity to join the national setup could provide valuable experience and help raise his profile. He will hope to impress the technical crew and establish himself as a serious contender as Nigeria prepares for the crucial qualifiers against DR Congo.