Eric Chelle have included Brighton & Hove Albion winger Zadok Yohanna in their 23-man squad for the upcoming U23 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against DR Congo, Bold sports reports.
The 19-year-old winger joins several promising talents as the Olympic Eagles begin their campaign to secure a place at the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.
Yohanna arrives with an impressive record from his time at Swedish club AIK. He registered five goals and four assists in 18 league and cup appearances before joining Brighton in June. His performances earned him a five-year contract with the Premier League side.
Chelle selects players with senior international experience
Head coach Eric Chelle has also selected Fulham midfielder Chibuzo Nwoko, who recently featured for Nigeria’s senior national team.
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The 20-year-old made his international debut against Russia last month. He started the friendly in Nizhny Novgorod and played 83 minutes in the 3-3 draw.
Nwoko also shares the squad with Vince Osuji. The defender replaced him during that encounter.
Several other players from the Russia friendly have earned places. Goalkeeper Samuel James and midfielders Aderemi Adeoye and Wilfred George Igor also started that match.
Meanwhile, forwards Umar Abubakar, Abdullahi Umar and Peter Edokpolor featured as substitutes. Edokpolor also found the net during Nigeria’s comeback from 3-1 down.
Nigeria prepare for two-legged battle
The Olympic Eagles will travel to Lubumbashi for the first leg on November 13.
They will then welcome DR Congo to Remo Stars Stadium in Ikenne on November 17.
Nigeria must overcome their opponents to reach the final qualifying round in March. That round will determine seven African representatives alongside hosts Egypt at the 2027 U23 Africa Cup of Nations.
The tournament will serve as Africa’s qualification pathway for the 2028 Olympic football competition.
Chelle has also rewarded players with experience from Nigeria’s youth national teams.
Molde midfielder Daniel Daga previously featured at the 2023 FIFA U20 World Cup. The Flying Eagles reached the quarterfinals of that tournament.
Sporting Supreme forward Abdulmuiz Adeleke also earned selection. He scored twice against Togo at the 2024 WAFU B U17 Championship.
Olympic Eagles chase another historic appearance
Nigeria last competed in men’s Olympic football at Rio 2016. The team secured bronze after previously winning gold in Atlanta in 1996.
They also collected silver at Beijing 2008. Nigeria remain Africa’s most successful nation in men’s Olympic football.
The upcoming encounter therefore represents an important opportunity for the country. A successful campaign would revive Nigeria’s ambitions on the Olympic stage.
The home-based players in the squad are scheduled to depart on Tuesday. Their immediate assignment is the first-leg encounter at Stade TP Mazembe.
Nigeria U23 squad for the Olympic qualifiers
Goalkeepers: Samuel James, Clinton Andy, Micheal 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, Sulaiman Sani, Umar Abubakar, Zadok Yohanna, Abdullahi Umar, Abdulmuiz Adeleke.
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