-
Brighton youngster Zadok Yohanna has been included in Eric Chelle’s 23-man squad for Nigeria’s U23 AFCON qualifying encounter against DR Congo.
-
Former Enyimba midfielder Daniel Daga has received a fresh national team invitation following his clearance over sexual assault allegations in July.
-
Ikorodu City goalkeeper Michael Atata has been named alongside SJK FC’s Samuel James and Rivers United’s Clinton Andy, with the trio expected to compete for the starting position.
-
Eric Chelle will lead Nigeria’s U23 side against DR Congo in a two-legged qualifying encounter, with the first leg scheduled for November 13 in Lubumbashi.
November 09, (THEWILL) – Eric Chelle has invited Brighton’s young star Zadok Yohanna, Daniel Daga, and 21 others players to prosecute the U23 AFCON qualifying home-and-away clash with the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Yohanna, who joined Brighton from AIK in the summer in a record transfer move has been handed a call-up to the team despite not playing regularly for the club.
He received his first senior Nigeria invitation for the Unity Cup in May, but his club AIK refused to release him.
He has only made appearances for Brighton in all competitions this season, playing once in the Premier League while still awaiting his first start for the club.
Former Enyimba midfielder, Daniel Daga also returned to national team fold after he was cleared of sexual assault allegations in July.
Ikorodu City’s goalkeeper, Michael Atata, who has been called up to the Super Eagles four times also made the cut.
He will contend with SJK FC’s Samuel James and fellow home-boy Clinton Andy for the number one jersey as Nigeria seeks a place in the finals to be staged in Egypt in a year’s time, and from where Africa’s representatives to the 2028 Olympics Men’s Football Tournament will emerge.
There are also defenders Victory Akpe, Vince Osuji and Emmanuel Ochobi, midfielders Chibuzor Nwoko and Aderemi Adeoye, and forwards Peter Edokpolor, Zadok Yohanna and Umar Abubakar.
READ ALSO:
The seven players on the roster who play their club football in Nigeria will depart the country on Tuesday, ahead of the first leg of the fixture scheduled for the Stade TP Mazembe in Lubumbashi on Friday, 13th November.
The return leg will hold at the Remo Stars Stadium, Ikenne-Remo on Tuesday, 17th November.
Nigeria have failed to qualify for the men’s Olympic Games since 2016 when they won the bronze medal in the football event.
Chelle will be hoping to lead the team to victory against DR Congo to qualify for the final qualifying round in March.
The U23 Nations Cup serves as the qualifier for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
The Full List
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)
