AFCON 2025
Super Eagles head coach Éric Chelle has named a 23-man squad for Nigeria’s Olympic Eagles ahead of their two-legged second-round qualifying tie against the Democratic Republic of Congo for the 2027 U-23 Africa Cup of Nations.
The selection mixes seven home-based players with 16 foreign-based professionals. It includes notable names such as Brighton forward Zadok Yohanna, Molde midfielder Daniel Daga, Benfica forward Peter Edokpolor, and Ikorodu City goalkeeper Michael Atata, who has previously received Super Eagles call-ups.
Match details
Nigeria received a bye in the first qualifying round. They now face DR Congo over two legs:
• First leg: Friday, 13 November 2026, at Stade TP Mazembe, Lubumbashi, DR Congo (kick-off 15:00 local time).
• Return leg: Tuesday, 17 November 2026, at Remo Stars Stadium, Ikenne-Remo, Nigeria.
The seven home-based players are expected to depart Nigeria on Tuesday. Qualification for the 2027 U-23 AFCON in Egypt also serves as the pathway for Africa’s representatives at the men’s football tournament of the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.
Full 23-man squad
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)
