Eric Chelle has named Bright Osehai Ozebagbe and Deniran Ortega to his coaching staff for Nigeria’s Olympic men’s football side as the country starts its build-up to the Los Angeles 2028 Games.
Quick facts
- Bright Osehai Ozebagbe is Technical Adviser at NPFL club Ikorodu City.
- Deniran Ortega holds a UEFA coaching licence and was trained by the Scottish Football Association.
- Nigeria’s first Olympic qualifying matches are scheduled for November 2026.
- The country missed the men’s Olympic tournaments at Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024.
Chelle, who is also in charge of the Olympic Eagles, praised the backgrounds of both coaches and called them among the most promising young figures in Nigerian football. Ozebagbe combines his new international role with his position at Ikorodu City.
Ortega, meanwhile, is a UEFA-qualified coach educated through the Scottish Football Association’s system. He is also part of the staff working with Nigeria’s Under-20 Flying Eagles.
The head coach has submitted his programme for the team to the National Sports Commission. The proposed schedule begins with an open trial and training camp in Abuja before the qualifying campaign gets under way in November 2026.
The NSC has responsibility for Nigeria’s men’s and women’s Olympic football teams. Its officials have made clear that the ambition is not merely to reach Los Angeles, but to challenge for a medal at the 2028 Olympics.
Nigeria are seeking a return to the men’s Olympic football tournament after failing to qualify for the Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024 editions.
