Nigeria’s Olympic Eagles coach Eric Chelle is assessing Liverpool academy centre-backs Wellity Lucky and Noah Adekoya as he builds his squad for the 2026 U23 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign.
Adekoya and Fulham player Chibuzo Nwoko have both indicated that they are prepared to play for Nigeria after being approached by the Nigeria Football Federation. Nwoko has already made his first international appearance, featuring in Nigeria’s latest friendly against Russia, while Adekoya is still awaiting his debut.
Adekoya joined Liverpool from Burnley in January 2026. Since moving to Anfield, he has scored once in four Premier League 2 outings for the club’s development side.
Lucky, who was born in Zaragoza, can represent Nigeria through his parents. The defender also qualifies for Spain and England, having lived in England for more than five years.
He has previously played for England at under-15 and under-16 level and has also been called into a Spain under-17 training camp. Considered a player with a possible route into Liverpool’s senior team, Lucky has been named in seven first-team matchday squads and made his senior debut in the Carabao Cup against Crystal Palace in October 2025.
Nigeria will face the Democratic Republic of Congo in the U23 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers in November 2026, with Chelle weighing his defensive options ahead of the tie.
