Nigeria’s Olympic Eagles have been dealt a setback in their preparations for next month’s U23 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying tie against the Democratic Republic of Congo, with seven players leaving camp following requests from their NPFL clubs.
The players were released to rejoin their respective teams ahead of this weekend’s domestic league fixtures, reducing the number of home-based options available to head coach Éric Chelle.
According to AllNigeriaSoccer.com, the players recalled by their clubs are Utake Emmanuel of Rivers United; Joshua Jofrank, Olughu Onu Chinemerem and Muhammad Muhammad Umar of Nasarawa United; Owelayafa Alex of Bendel Insurance; Samuel Victor Umoh of Sporting Lagos; and Ikechukwu Junior of Ikorodu City.
Nasarawa United account for three of the withdrawals, while Rivers United, Bendel Insurance, Sporting Lagos and Ikorodu City each recalled one player.
Despite the departures, Nigeria continued their preparations at the Remo Stars Stadium in Ikenne on Thursday, holding two training sessions lasting two hours each.
Both sessions were conducted behind closed doors as Chelle and his technical team continued their assessment of the squad.
The coach had initially invited 31 home-based players to camp, comprising four goalkeepers, nine defenders, eight midfielders and ten forwards.
The Olympic Eagles are preparing for a two-legged qualifying contest against DR Congo, with the first leg scheduled for Friday, November 13, in Lubumbashi.
Nigeria will host the return fixture on Tuesday, November 17, at the Remo Stars Stadium in Ikenne-Remo.
The winner of the tie will advance to next year’s U23 Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt, making the two encounters crucial to Nigeria’s qualification hopes.
Chelle will now have to work with the players remaining in camp as the Olympic Eagles seek to build a competitive squad capable of overcoming DR Congo over two legs.
