Zadok Yohanna, Daniel Daga headline 23-man Olympic Eagles squad for DR Congo Qualifiers

Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle has released his 23-man squad for Nigeria's upcoming U-23 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying double-header against the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Chelle, who also doubles as the Olympic Eagles head coach, has named 16 foreign-based players and seven home-based players following assessments during a 10-day closed camping exercise in Ikenne.

Impressive Ikorodu City goalkeeper Michael Atata makes the cut after receiving call-ups to the Super Eagles, while midfielder and former Flying Eagles (U-20) captain Daniel Daga also earns an invitation.

Despite not yet seeing game time with new Premier League side Brighton & Hove Albion, exciting youngster Zadok Yohanna has also been included in the squad.

He joins Peter Edokpolor, Sulaiman Sani, Umar Abubakar, Abdullahi Umar and Abdulmuiz Adeleke in the attacking department.

Nigeria will face DR Congo in a two-legged encounter as they look to begin their qualification journey to the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.

The first leg takes place at the Stade TP Mazembe on Friday, November 13, before the Olympic Eagles host the return leg at the Remo Stars Stadium in Ikenne-Remo on Tuesday, November 17.

The two-legged encounter will determine which nation progresses to the 2027 U-23 Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt, which will serve as the qualifying tournament for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games.

23 PLAYERS FOR BIG BATTLES WITH DR CONGO

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).