Yohanna, Daga in Chelle’s 23-man list for DR Congo

Zadok Yohanna. Photo: OwnGoal Nigeria

Brighton forward Zadok Yohanna and Molde FC midfielder Daniel Daga have been included in head coach Èric Chelle’s 23-man squad for Nigeria’s U-23 AFCON qualifying home-and-away battle with the Democratic Republic of Congo.

The duo are among the exciting prospects named by Chelle as the Olympic Eagles seek a place in next year’s tournament in Egypt, which will also determine Africa’s representatives at the 2028 Olympic Games men’s football event.

Goalkeeper Michael Atata and exciting junior international Abdulmuiz Adeleke are also included in the squad, with Atata set to contend with SJK FC’s Samuel James and fellow home-based goalkeeper Clinton Andy for the number one position.

Atata, who has been called up to the Super Eagles on several occasions, will hope to establish himself as Nigeria’s first-choice goalkeeper for the crucial qualifying tie.

Other players named in the squad include defenders Victory Akpe, Vince Osuji and Emmanuel Ochobi, midfielders Chibuzor Nwoko and Aderemi Adeoye, as well as forwards Peter Edokpolor and Umar Abubakar.

The seven players on the roster who play their club football in Nigeria will depart the country on Tuesday ahead of the first leg scheduled for the Stade TP Mazembe in Lubumbashi on Friday, November 13. The return leg will hold at the Remo Stars Stadium in Ikenne-Remo on Tuesday, November 17.

Nigeria received a bye in the first qualifying round and must overcome the Congolese over two legs to progress to the final round of the qualifiers.

Meanwhile, assistant head coach Deniran Ortega will lead the Olympic Eagles against DR Congo, as head coach Chelle turns his attention to the Super Eagles’ crucial 2027 AFCON double-header against Tanzania.

Ortega, who has been with the home-based players since camp opened two weeks ago, will continue to work alongside Ikorodu City head coach Bright Ozebagbe in Chelle’s absence.

According to reports by ACL Sports, the 40-year-old was in charge of most of the team’s training sessions on Thursday and stood on the touchline during their friendly win over Grassrunners on Friday before their departure for the DR Congo clash.

Chelle was saddled with the responsibility of coaching both the Super Eagles and the U-23 side under his new contract, but it did not take long for a clash of interests to emerge, as both teams share the same international window.

The Olympic Eagles are scheduled to travel to Lubumbashi for the first leg of the qualifying fixture on Friday, November 13, the same day the Super Eagles face Tanzania at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo. Their return encounter at the Remo Stars Sports Complex in Ikenne will also coincide with Nigeria’s senior team’s Matchday four meeting with the Taifa Stars.

THE FULL SQUAD:

Goalkeepers: Samuel James (SJK FC, Finland); Clinton Andy (Rivers United); 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); 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); Victor Samuel (Pardubice FC, Czechia).

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