Nigeria names 31 players for Olympic football qualifiers

Nigeria’s U23 national football team head coach, Eric Chelle, has summoned a 31-man squad composed entirely of home-based players for upcoming Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifying fixtures. The squad will face the Democratic Republic of Congo in a two-legged tie to determine who advances to the final qualifying round in Egypt.

The first leg is scheduled for November 13 at the TP Mazembe Stadium in Lubumbashi, followed by a return leg on November 17 at the Remo Stars Stadium in Ikenne. The winner of this aggregate series will move closer to securing a spot in the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Men’s Football Tournament.

The provisional roster includes players from various Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) clubs, with significant representation from Sporting Lagos, Rivers United, Warri Wolves, and Ikorodu City. Nigeria is seeking to end a decade-long absence from the Olympic football tournament, having previously secured gold in 1996, silver in 2008, and bronze in 2016.