Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle has invited 31 home-based players to the Olympic Eagles camp ahead of Nigeria’s two-legged second-round qualifying tie against the Democratic Republic of Congo for the 2028 U-23 Africa Cup of Nations.
The invited players are expected to begin preparations on Sunday, October 25, at AM2PM Hotel in Ijebu-Ode, with Sporting Lagos and Ikorodu City players featuring prominently on the list.
Nigeria will face DR Congo in the first leg on November 13 at the TP Mazembe Stadium in Lubumbashi, before hosting the return leg on November 17 at the Remo Stars Stadium in Ikenne-Remo.
While Nigeria received a bye in the first round, DR Congo advanced after defeating Mauritania over two legs.
The qualifiers will determine Nigeria’s chances of progressing to the final qualifying round of the U-23 AFCON, scheduled for Egypt in 2027. The tournament will also serve as the qualifying competition for Africa’s representatives at the men’s football event of the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games.
Nigeria will be seeking a return to Olympic men’s football after missing the last two editions. The country won gold at Atlanta 1996, silver at Beijing 2008 and bronze at Rio 2016.
