By Hosea Parah
Seven players have earned places in Nigeria’s 23-man Olympic Eagles squad ahead of the 2028 Olympic Games qualifying double-header against the Democratic Republic of Congo, allnigeriasoccer.com reports.
The players were selected from a group of 24 Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) footballers who participated in a two-week training camp in Ikenne as the coaching crew assessed their performances ahead of the crucial qualifiers.
Following the selection, the remaining 17 players were released on Saturday morning to return to their respective clubs and prepare for this weekend’s NPFL fixtures.
The seven players who made the final selection are Aderemi Adeoye, Atata Michael, Clinton Andy, Muiz Adeleke, Odinaka Alfred, Ochobi Elias and Sugau Aliyu.
Those released to their respective clubs include Zachariah Timothy, Igwilo Chimobi, Wonah Williams, Olaniyan Gafar, Shuaibu Sanni, Simeon Habila, Eventus Jude, Zion Hillary, Igboke Keneth, Samuel Okechukwu, Lucky Orabo, Salihu Mohammed, Subi Ebitimi Gift, Harcourt Ebenezer, Alex Oweilayefa, Oputa Chibueze and Freedom Marvelous.
The selected players will now continue preparations as the Olympic Eagles step up their build-up for the two-legged encounter against DR Congo, with a place in the race for the 2028 Olympic Games at stake.
The Olympic Eagles will face DR Congo in Lubumbashi on Friday, November 13, before hosting the return leg at the Remo Stars Stadium, Ikenne-Remo, on Tuesday, November 17.