U-23 AFCON Qualifier: Chelle names Atata, Daga, Adeleke in Nigeria’s 23-man squad
By Tosin Omojola
Head Coach Eric Chelle has named goalkeeper Michael Atata, midfielder Daniel Daga and promising junior international Abdulmuiz Adeleke in his 23-man squad for Nigeria’s home-and-away U-23 AFCON qualifying tie against the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Atata, who has received several invitations to the Super Eagles, will compete with SJK FC’s Samuel James and Clinton Andy for the goalkeeping position as Nigeria seek to secure a place in the finals, scheduled to hold in Egypt next year.
The tournament will also determine Africa’s representatives at the 2028 Olympic Games Men’s Football Tournament.
Other players named in the squad include defenders Victory Akpe, Vince Osuji and Emmanuel Ochobi; midfielders Chibuzor Nwoko and Aderemi Adeoye; and forwards Peter Edokpolor, Zadok Yohanna and Umar Abubakar.
The seven players based in Nigeria are expected to depart the country on Tuesday ahead of the first leg, scheduled for Friday, November 13, at the Stade TP Mazembe in Lubumbashi.
The return leg will take place at the Remo Stars Stadium, Ikenne-Remo, on Tuesday, November 17.
THE PLAYERS
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).
