Head coach Éric Chelle has announced a 23-man squad for Nigeria's Olympic Eagles ahead of their 2027 Africa U-23 Cup of Nations second-round qualifying double-header against the Democratic Republic of Congo.

The selection blends experience from abroad with local talent, featuring 16 foreign-based professionals alongside seven players drawn from the domestic Nigerian league.

Foreign-based stars in the mix

Among the overseas contingent named by Chelle are Peter Edokpolor, Zadok Yohanna, Samuel James, Daniel Daga, Victory Akpe, Umar Abubakar, and Vince Osuji, who represent clubs across Europe and the Middle East.

The squad and team officials are due to leave Nigeria on Tuesday in preparation for the first leg, set to be played at the TP Mazembe Stadium in Lubumbashi on Friday, November 13.

Return leg at Remo Stars Stadium

The second encounter is scheduled for Tuesday, November 17, at the Remo Stars Stadium in Ikenne-Remo. The Olympic Eagles will be desperate to secure qualification for the next round when they host the tie on home soil.

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)