Super Eagles Coach Chelle Names 23 Players for 2028 Olympics Qualifiers vs DR Congo

Super Eagles head coach Éric Chelle has announced a 23-man squad for Nigeria’s U-23 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying match against the Democratic Republic of Congo. The squad includes Brighton & Hove Albion forward Zadok Yohanna, who has been in impressive form since joining the English Premier League club. Yohanna, 19, is expected to add pace, creativity, and attacking threat to the Olympic Eagles as they begin their quest to reach the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games.

Yohanna’s inclusion is significant given his remarkable journey from grassroots football in northern Nigeria to one of England’s top-flight clubs. Born on June 29, 2007, in Bauchi State, the winger began his football development at Ikon Allah Football Academy in Kaduna. He joined the academy as a youngster and spent several years developing his technical ability before attracting interest from European scouts. His breakthrough opportunity came in 2025 when Swedish club AIK Stockholm identified his potential and secured his services.

The squad also includes goalkeeper Michael Atata, midfielder Daniel Daga, and promising junior international Abdulmuiz Adeleke. Atata, who has previously received invitations to the senior national team, will compete with Samuel James of Finland’s SJK FC and Clinton Andy of Rivers United for the goalkeeping position. Daga, who plays for Norwegian club Molde, is expected to provide strength and energy in the middle of the pitch.

The selection combines 16 foreign-based professionals with seven players from Nigerian clubs. The seven home-based players earned places in the final list after participating in an assessment camp involving 24 NPFL players. They are goalkeepers Michael Atata of Ikorodu City and Clinton Andy of Rivers United; defenders Odinaka Alfred of Nasarawa United, Emmanuel Ochobi of Rivers United, and Aliu Sugau of Barau FC; midfielder Aderemi Adeoye of Ikorodu City; and forward Abdulmuiz Adeleke of Sporting Supreme.

Nigeria will travel to Lubumbashi for the first leg on Friday, November 13, with the match scheduled for the Stade TP Mazembe. The return leg will take place on Tuesday, November 17, at the Remo Stars Stadium in Ikenne-Remo, Ogun State. The first leg is expected to be played behind closed doors for security reasons. The winner of the two-legged contest will advance to the final qualifying round of the 2027 U-23 Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt.

The Olympic Eagles will face a difficult assignment against DR Congo, who reached this stage after overcoming Mauritania, while Nigeria received a bye into the second round. The team will need to negotiate the Congolese challenge before turning their attention to the final qualification hurdle. Nigeria has a proud history in Olympic men’s football, winning gold at the 1996 Atlanta Games.

The inclusion of Yohanna and other young players provides an opportunity for the team to strengthen their relationship with the national team setup as they progress towards the senior international level. The team’s performance in the qualifiers will be crucial in determining Africa’s representatives at the men’s football event of the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.

Key points

• Zadok Yohanna, 19, has been included in the squad for his pace, creativity, and attacking threat.
• The squad combines 16 foreign-based professionals with seven players from Nigerian clubs.
• The winner of the two-legged contest will advance to the final qualifying round of the 2027 U-23 Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt.