Chelle Quits Olympic Eagles Camp For Super Eagles’ AFCON Qualifiers

Super Eagles head coach Èric Chelle has left the Nigeria U-23 camp to concentrate on the senior national team’s 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Tanzania, highlighting a fixture clash arising from his dual responsibility with both national teams.

Chelle, who was also appointed to oversee the Olympic Eagles, will miss their two-legged U-23 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying encounter against the Democratic Republic of Congo, with assistant coach Deniran Ortega expected to take charge in his absence.

The scheduling conflict arose because both teams are due to play their matches within the same international window.

The Olympic Eagles will face DR Congo in the first leg in Lubumbashi on Friday, 13 November, the same day the Super Eagles host Tanzania at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo.

The return leg, scheduled for Tuesday, 17 November, at the Remo Stars Stadium in Ikenne, also falls on the day Nigeria’s senior team travel for the second meeting with the Taifa Stars.

Ortega, who has been working with the home-based players since the U-23 camp opened two weeks ago, will continue to lead the technical crew alongside Ikorodu City head coach Bright Ozebagbe as Nigeria pursue qualification for next year’s tournament in Egypt.

According to ACL Sports, Ortega handled most of the team’s training sessions on Thursday and led the technical crew during their friendly victory over Grassrunners on Friday before the squad’s departure for DR Congo.

Meanwhile, Chelle has named Brighton forward Zadok Yohanna and Molde FC midfielder Daniel Daga in his 23-man Super Eagles squad for the Tanzania double-header.

Goalkeeper Michael Atata and junior international Abdulmuiz Adeleke are also among the players called up, while Atata will compete with SJK FC’s Samuel James and home-based Clinton Andy for the goalkeeping position.

The squad also features defenders Victory Akpe, Vince Osuji and Emmanuel Ochobi, midfielders Chibuzor Nwoko and Aderemi Adeoye, and forwards Peter Edokpolor and Umar Abubakar.

The seven home-based players in the squad are expected to depart Nigeria on Tuesday for the first leg against DR Congo at the Stade TP Mazembe in Lubumbashi.

Nigeria received a bye in the first qualifying round and must overcome DR Congo over two legs to reach the final qualifying round.

The U-23 AFCON, scheduled to take place in Egypt next year, will also serve as the qualifying competition for Africa’s representatives in the men’s football event at the 2028 Olympic Games.