Get Guardian on GoogleThe home-based members of the national U-23 boys’ team and their coaches were expected to depart for DR Congo, yesterday, ahead of their Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games’ men’s football qualifier against the Congolese on Friday.
The Europe-based stars are expected to join the team today to finalise preparation for the game scheduled for Lubumbashi, DR Congo.
Nigeria will face DR Congo in the first leg at the Stade TP Mazembe on November 13, with the return fixture scheduled for November 17 at the Remo Stars Stadium in Ikenne-Remo.
The Nigerian team was camped in Ikenne for over a week’s preparation for the qualifier.
With a place in the U23 AFCON at stake, the Olympic Eagles will be hoping to secure a positive result away from home before returning to familiar surroundings for the decisive second leg.
To ensure his team is fully fortified for the two-legged encounter, Coach Eric Chelle, who did not travel with the team because of his engagement with the Super Eagles, made some changes to the squad mostly because of withdrawals.
Among the new players in the squad is Fulham midfielder, Chibby Nwoko, who just switched allegiance from England to Nigeria.
Nwoko’s involvement with the Olympic Eagles in November 2026 had been uncertain following the expiration of his Nigerian passport.
However, the issue was resolved last week in London, paving the way for his inclusion in Eric Chelle’s final 23-man squad for the U23 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against the Democratic Republic of Congo.
According to reports, Nwoko has travelled to the Democratic Republic of Congo to link up with the Olympic Eagles ahead of a potential competitive debut for Nigeria U23s.
Another player drafted to the team is Nasarawa United forward Prince Bawa Oche, who will replace injured Sulaiman Sani.
Sani, who plays for Saudi Arabian club Al-Qudsiah FC, will miss the double-header after his club confirmed that an injury would prevent him from honouring his invitation to the Nigerian U23 squad.
