Nigeria unveil squad for crucial DR Congo double-header in U-23 AFCON qualifiers

Nigeria head coach Eric Chelle has officially unveiled his 23-man squad for the upcoming CAF Under-23 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying double-header against the DR Congo as the team prepares for a crucial battle for a place in the next stage of the competition.

As announced by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), twenty-three players have been selected to represent the country in the two-legged encounter.

The first leg is scheduled to take place on November 13, 2026, at the Stade TP Mazembe in Lubumbashi, where Nigeria will face a challenging away test against their Congolese counterparts.

The return fixture will be played four days later, on November 17, at the Remo Stars Stadium in Ikenne-Remo, Ogun State, with Nigeria enjoying home advantage.

Chelle’s selection features a mix of players based in Nigeria and those plying their trade in different European leagues, with representatives from clubs in Finland, Belgium, Switzerland, Norway, France, England, Portugal, Saudi Arabia, Latvia and the Czech Republic.

Nigeria’s U-23 squad:  

Goalkeepers: Samuel James (SJK FC, Finland), Clinton Andy (Rivers United), and Michael Atata (Ikorodu City).

Defenders: Christian Akpan (Genk FC, Belgium), Victory Akpe (FC Basel, Switzerland), Vince Osuji (Tromsø IL FC, Norway), Emmanuel Godwin (Pardubice FC, Czechia), Odinaka Alfred (Nasarawa United), Emmanuel Ochobi (Rivers United), and Aliu Sugau (Barau FC).

Midfielders: John Otomewo (Reims FC, France), Daniel Daga (Molde FC, Norway), Wilfred George (Kristiansund FC, Norway), Chibuzor Nwoko (Fulham FC, England), Aderemi Adeoye (Ikorodu City), Sadiq Saleh (FC Metta, Latvia), and Victor Samuel (Pardubice FC, Czechia).

Forwards: Peter Edokpolor (SL Benfica, Portugal); Sulaiman Sani (Al-Qadsiah FC, Saudi Arabia); Umar Abubakar (FC Famalicão, Portugal); Zadok Yohanna (Brighton FC, England); Abdullahi Umar (Hradec Kralove, Czechia); and Abdulmuiz Adeleke (Sporting Supreme).