Éric Chelle Names 23-Man Nigeria Squad For DR Congo U-23 AFCON Qualifiers

Super Eagles head coach Éric Chelle has named a 23-man Nigeria squad featuring goalkeeper Michael Atata, midfielder Daniel Daga and promising junior international Abdulmuiz Adeleke for the country’s upcoming U-23 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifying fixtures against the Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo), as announced by the NFF.

Latest: Super Eagles news today: squads, fixtures and AFCON qualifier updates (live hub)

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The two-legged encounter forms part of Nigeria’s campaign to qualify for the U-23 AFCON finals in Egypt next year, where Africa’s representatives for the men’s football event at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games will be determined.

Key Highlights

• Éric Chelle has selected 23 players for Nigeria’s U-23 AFCON qualifying fixtures against DR Congo.
• Michael Atata, Daniel Daga and Abdulmuiz Adeleke headline the squad.
• Nigeria will play the first leg on November 13 at the Stade TP Mazembe in Lubumbashi.
• The return leg is scheduled for November 17 at the Remo Stars Stadium in Ikenne-Remo, Ogun State.
• Seven players based in Nigeria are expected to depart for the first-leg encounter on Tuesday.

Atata, Daga And Adeleke Make Nigeria Squad

Atata, who has previously received invitations to the senior Super Eagles, will compete for the goalkeeping position alongside Samuel James of Finland’s SJK FC and Clinton Andy of Rivers United.

Other notable selections include defenders Victory Akpe, Vince Osuji and Emmanuel Ochobi, as well as midfielders Chibuzor Nwoko and Aderemi Adeoye.

The attacking department features Peter Edokpolor, Zadok Yohanna and Umar Abubakar, among other forward options.

The seven players based in Nigeria are expected to leave the country on Tuesday ahead of the first leg against DR Congo.

Nigeria Vs DR Congo: Dates And Venues

Nigeria will travel to Lubumbashi for the first leg on Friday, November 13, 2026, at the Stade TP Mazembe.

The return fixture will take place on Tuesday, November 17, at the Remo Stars Stadium in Ikenne-Remo, Ogun State.

The Nigerian team will be seeking favourable results across both matches to strengthen its chances of qualifying for the continental tournament.

Read also:

• Chelle Invites 31 Home-Based Players For DR Congo Olympic Qualifier
• NFF Appoints Busari, Udofia To Olympic Eagles As Media Officer, Team Coordinator
• Chelle Names 24 Players For Super Eagles’ AFCON Qualifiers Against Tanzania

Full List Of Nigeria’s 23-Man Squad For DR Congo Clash

Goalkeepers

1. Samuel James (SJK FC, Finland)
2. Clinton Andy (Rivers United)
3. Michael Atata (Ikorodu City)

Defenders

1. Christian Akpan (Genk FC, Belgium)
2. Victory Akpe (FC Basel, Switzerland)
3. Vince Osuji (Tromsø IL FC, Norway)
4. Emmanuel Godwin (Pardubice FC, Czechia)
5. Odinaka Alfred (Nasarawa United)
6. Emmanuel Ochobi (Rivers United)
7. Aliu Sugau (Barau FC)

Midfielders

1. John Otomewo (Reims FC, France)
2. Daniel Daga (Molde FC, Norway)
3. Wilfred George (Kristiansund FC, Norway)
4. Chibuzor Nwoko (Fulham FC, England)
5. Aderemi Adeoye (Ikorodu City)
6. Sadiq Saleh (FC Metta, Latvia)
7. Victor Samuel (Pardubice FC, Czechia)

Forwards

1. Peter Edokpolor (SL Benfica, Portugal)
2. Sulaiman Sani (Al-Qadsiah FC, Saudi Arabia)
3. Umar Abubakar (FC Famalicão, Portugal)
4. Zadok Yohanna (Brighton FC, England)
5. Abdullahi Umar (Hradec Králové, Czechia)
6. Abdulmuiz Adeleke (Sporting Supreme)

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