2028 OLYMPICS QUALIFIERS: U23 EAGLES BEGIN TRAINING IN DR CONGO AS INJURY FORCES SQUAD CHANGE

Nigeria’s U23 national team, the Olympic Eagles, have commenced preparations for their 2028 Los Angeles Olympic qualifying campaign with their first training session in Lubumbashi, Democratic Republic of Congo, on Wednesday.

The Nigerian contingent arrived in Lubumbashi on Wednesday after departing the country on Tuesday night. The players returned to training following a one-hour rest as head coach Eric Chelle intensified preparations for Friday’s first-leg encounter against DR Congo.

However, the team has suffered an injury setback following the withdrawal of Sulaiman Sani of Saudi Arabian club Al-Qadsiah FC. Nasarawa United forward Prince Bawa Oche has been called up as his replacement.

Chelle had initially named a 23-man squad comprising eight home-based players and 15 foreign-based professionals for the crucial double-header.

Nigeria will host the return leg at the Remo Stars Stadium in Ikenne on November 17, 2026, where the Olympic Eagles will aim to secure a favourable result and strengthen their chances of progressing in the qualification campaign.

PLAYERS AT WEDNESDAY’S TRAINING SESSION

• Goalkeepers: Samuel James, Clinton Andy, Michael Atata.
• Defenders: Christian Akpan, Victory Akpe, Vince Osuji, Emmanuel Godwin, Odinaka Alfred, Emmanuel Ochobi, Aliu Sugau.
• Midfielders: John Otomewo, Daniel Daga, Wilfred George, Chibuzor Nwoko, Aderemi Adeoye, Sadiq Saleh, Victor Samuel.
• Forwards: Peter Edokpolor, Bawa Oche, Umar Abubakar, Zadok Yohanna, Abdullahi Umar, Abdulmuiz Adeleke.