Eric Chelle’s 31-man Olympics Eagles: 4 things Nigerian fans may have missed

Éric Chelle has invited 31 home-based players to the Nigeria U23 national team, the Olympic Eagles, ahead of their clash against DR Congo.

The Super Eagles boss has selected players only from the domestic scene, with the NPFL and the NNL enjoying healthy representation. Despite Nigeria boasting several elite young talents in the European circuit playing for clubs like Arsenal, Sparta Prague, and the likes, Chelle has placed his trust in home-based gems.

Interestingly, the 31-man squad offers several exciting insights into the coach’s selection strategy.

Four things Nigerian fans may have missed about Chelle’s U23 squad

1. Sporting Lagos lead the club representation

Sporting Lagos are the biggest contributors to Chelle’s preliminary squad, with five players receiving invitations.

Ebenezer Harcourt, Hillary Zion, Victor Samuel, Muhammad Salihu and Ayoola Olaniyan will represent the club in the selection.

Rivers United, Ikorodu City, Nasarawa United and Warri Wolves follow with four players each, as Eric Chelle spread his wings for talent across Nigeria’s domestic football scene.

2. Three clubs supply 13 players

Sporting Lagos, Rivers United and Ikorodu City account for 13 of the 31 invited players, representing approximately 42 per cent of the squad.

Rivers United have Clinton Andy, Emmanuel Utake, Emmanuel Ochobi and Timothy Zechariah, while Ikorodu City contribute Michael Atata, Marvelous Freedom, Aderemi Adeoye and Junior Ikechukwu.

Rivers United currently top the 2026/27 NPFL table while Sporting Lagos anlre two spots behind in third. Ninth place Ikorodu City finished fourth in the division last season.

Chelle has evidently rewarded youngsters who are proving their mettle on the home front.

3. Rangers provide players with senior international exposure

Rangers International have three representatives: Chibueze Oputa, Kenneth Igboke and Chimobi Igwilo.

Igboke and Oputa have previously received invitations to the senior Super Eagles setup. Both played their parts as Nigeria won the 2026 Unity Cup in London earlier in the year.

The duo have already been exposed to international football and the demands of coach Eric Chelle. Their experience could prove useful as the Olympic Eagles prepare for the challenge against DR Congo.

4. Flying Eagles graduates add youth pedigree

Chelle has also included several players who have been part of Nigeria’s U20 setup, the Flying Eagles.

Sporting Supreme’s Abdulmuiz Adeleke, Wikki Tourists’ Habila Simon and Warri Wolves’ Sani Shuaibu are among the names to watch. Gift Subi and Lucky Oraro also feature in the Warri Wolves contingent.

Their inclusion gives the invited group a blend of domestic experience and youth-team pedigree as the players compete for places in the final selection.

The Nigeria U23 national football team (Olympic Eagles) will play a two-legged tie against DR Congo U23 in November 2026 for the 2027 U23 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.

The first leg, billed for the TP Mazembe Stadium in Lubumbashi, is scheduled for Friday, November 13. The two teams meet for the return fixture four days later (November 17) at the Remo Stars Stadium, Ikenne-Remo.