Super Eagles Coach, Eric Chelle
Eric Chelle has named 23 players for Nigeria’s U-23 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying double-header against the Democratic Republic of Congo, but the Olympic Eagles will have to face both matches without him on the touchline.
Assistant coach Deniran Ortega will take charge of the team after a clash of fixtures forced Chelle to turn his attention to the Super Eagles and their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Tanzania.
The arrangement leaves Ortega with the responsibility of guiding the Olympic Eagles through an important two-legged contest, even though Chelle remains the man overseeing both national teams.
Ortega is not entirely new to Nigerian national-team football, having previously served as an assistant with the Flying Eagles under Abdu Maikaba. He was part of the technical crew that finished third at the 2019 U-20 Africa Cup of Nations in Niger, securing Nigeria’s place at the FIFA U-20 World Cup in Poland.
A UEFA-licensed coach trained through the Scottish Football Association, Ortega has also worked with Enyimba and Scottish club Edinburgh City. However, the DR Congo encounter will mark his first competitive assignment in charge of the Olympic Eagles. Having previously worked in supporting roles, he now has to lead the team through both legs of the qualifier in Chelle’s absence.
Brighton forward Zadok Yohanna, Molde midfielder Daniel Daga and junior international Abdulmuiz Adeleke are among the notable names in the 23-man squad released by the Nigeria Football Federation.
Goalkeeper Michael Atata also made the list and will compete with Samuel James of Finland’s SJK FC and Clinton Andy of Rivers United for the number one position.
The squad has seven players from Nigerian clubs and 16 based abroad, bringing together home-based prospects and youngsters gaining experience in different leagues.
Belgium-based Christian Akpan, Switzerland-based Victory Akpe and Norway-based Vince Osuji are among the defensive options, alongside Emmanuel Godwin, Odinaka Alfred, Emmanuel Ochobi and Aliu Sugau.
In midfield, Chelle has selected John Otomewo, Daniel Daga, Wilfred George, Chibuzor Nwoko, Aderemi Adeoye, Sadiq Saleh and Victor Samuel.
The attacking options are Peter Edokpolor, Sulaiman Sani, Umar Abubakar, Zadok Yohanna, Abdullahi Umar and Abdulmuiz Adeleke.
The first leg will take place at the Stade TP Mazembe in Lubumbashi on Friday, November 13, with the return fixture scheduled for the Remo Stars Stadium in Ikenne-Remo on Tuesday, November 17.
The fixture clash is particularly significant because the Super Eagles are also due to face Tanzania on November 13 and 17. The overlapping commitments mean Chelle cannot lead both sides in their respective matches.
Nigeria received a bye in the first qualifying round and must overcome DR Congo to reach the final qualifying stage of the 2027 U-23 AFCON in Egypt.
The stakes go beyond the continental competition. The tournament will also determine Africa’s representatives at the men’s football event of the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.
Nigeria have a proud history in Olympic football, winning gold at Atlanta 1996, silver at Beijing 2008 and bronze at Rio 2016. However, the country missed the last two editions and will be eager to return to the competition.
For Ortega, the DR Congo tie presents an opportunity to step out from the supporting role he has occupied in previous national-team assignments and lead the Olympic Eagles in a competitive fixture. For Nigeria, the immediate challenge is to secure a result over two legs and keep the country’s Olympic hopes alive.
