Eric Chelle will remain with Nigeria’s senior national team rather than accompany the Olympic Eagles for their two-leg 2027 Africa U-23 Cup of Nations qualifying tie against the Democratic Republic of Congo, with the matches scheduled alongside the Super Eagles’ 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Tanzania.
Assistants to oversee U-23 qualifying campaign
Chelle has handed responsibility for the Olympic Eagles’ two fixtures to his assistants, Deniran Ortega and Bright Osehai Ozebagbe, while he focuses on the Super Eagles’ meetings with Tanzania.
- Ortega also works as an assistant coach with Nigeria’s Flying Eagles.
- Ozebagbe is the Technical Adviser of Nigeria Premier Football League club Ikorodu City.
- Goalkeeper coach Olatunji Baruwa has been instructed to stay with the U-23 squad for the qualifiers.
- Baruwa serves as goalkeeper trainer for both the Super Eagles and Olympic Eagles, while also working with NPFL side Nasarawa United.
Conflicting November fixtures
Nigeria’s U-23 team will travel to Lubumbashi for the opening leg against DR Congo on November 13, 2026. The same date will see the Super Eagles welcome Tanzania’s Taifa Stars to the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo for their Matchday Three AFCON qualifier.
The return fixtures are also set for the same day. On November 17, the Super Eagles will travel to Tanzania for the second meeting, while the Olympic Eagles host DR Congo at Remo Stars Stadium in Ikenne, Ogun State.
- November 13, 2026: DR Congo host Nigeria’s Olympic Eagles in Lubumbashi, while Nigeria’s senior side face Tanzania in Uyo.
- November 17, 2026: Tanzania host the Super Eagles, while the Olympic Eagles welcome DR Congo in Ikenne.
Camp numbers rise as overseas players await
Preparations are intensifying in the Olympic Eagles camp, with around 13 overseas-based players expected to report from their clubs from Sunday.
Bawa Prince of Nasarawa United and Ikorodu City player Ayodeji Abayomi have already joined the group, taking the number of available players to 25. Both were involved in morning and evening sessions at Remo Stars Stadium on the previous day, with the coaching staff concentrating on tactical shape and technical work.
Seven domestic-based players who were released to feature in last weekend’s league programme have been informed that they do not need to rejoin the camp. The technical crew are reducing the group ahead of the expected arrival of the foreign-based contingent.
Egypt target and Olympic pathway
Nigeria are unlikely to play another friendly before travelling to Lubumbashi. Their only preparatory match to date ended in a goalless draw against Remo Stars in Ikenne last week.
The Olympic Eagles are aiming to eliminate the Congolese and advance towards the 2027 U-23 Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt. That tournament will also serve as the African qualifying competition for the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.
