Seven players quit Nigeria’s Olympic Eagles camp ahead of DR Congo showdown

Seven players have left Nigeria’s Olympic Eagles camp after their respective Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) clubs requested their release ahead of this weekend’s domestic fixtures.

The withdrawals have reduced the number of home-based players available to head coach Éric Chelle as Nigeria intensifies preparations for next month’s crucial U23 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying tie against the Democratic Republic of Congo.

According to AllNigeriaSoccer.com, the seven players were released following requests from their clubs, who want them available for their respective league assignments this weekend.

The players are Utake Emmanuel of Rivers United, Joshua Jofrank, Olughu Onu Chinemerem and Muhammad Muhammad Umar of Nasarawa United, Owelayafa Alex of Bendel Insurance, Samuel Victor Umoh of Sporting Lagos and Ikechukwu Junior of Ikorodu City.

Nasarawa United account for three of the withdrawals, while Rivers United, Bendel Insurance, Sporting Lagos and Ikorodu City have each recalled one player.

Their departure comes as Chelle continues to assess his home-based options ahead of the two-legged encounter, which will determine Nigeria’s chances of reaching next year’s continental tournament.

Chelle steps up preparations in Ikenne

Despite the departures, the Olympic Eagles maintained their training schedule on Thursday, completing two sessions at the Remo Stars Stadium in Ikenne.

The team trained for two hours in the morning before returning for another two-hour session in the evening as preparations gathered momentum.

Both sessions were held behind closed doors, with the media barred from observing the team’s activities.

Chelle initially invited 31 home-based players to the training camp, comprising four goalkeepers, nine defenders, eight midfielders and ten forwards.

The former Mali and Ivory Coast coach will now have to continue working with the players available to him as Nigeria build towards the decisive qualifying assignment.

The Olympic Eagles are seeking to secure their place at the U23 Africa Cup of Nations, with the technical team expected to use the remaining preparations to strengthen the squad ahead of the demanding away fixture.

Nigeria face decisive double-header against DR Congo

Nigeria will travel to Lubumbashi for the first leg against DR Congo on Friday, November 13, before hosting the return fixture four days later.

The second leg is scheduled for Tuesday, November 17, at the Remo Stars Stadium in Ikenne-Remo.

The two matches will determine which country advances to next year’s U23 Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt.

With qualification at stake, Nigeria will be looking to make the most of their home advantage in the return fixture, although they must first negotiate a difficult away assignment in Lubumbashi.

The Olympic Eagles will need to navigate both encounters successfully to book their place at the tournament, where Africa’s leading U23 national teams will compete for continental honours.