Nasarawa United’s Baruwa, 4 Players Receive Olympic Eagles Call-ups

Nasarawa United goalkeeper coach Olatunji Abideen Baruwa and four players have been invited to the Nigeria U-23 men’s national team ahead of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifying tie against the Democratic Republic of Congo in November.

The invited players are goalkeeper Onu Olughu Chinemerem, defender Alfred Odinaka, attacking midfielder Umar Mohammed and winger Jofrank Joshua.

The five invitees are expected to report to the national team’s camp at AM2PM Hotel, Ijebu-Ode, on Sunday, 25 October, as preparations begin for the two-legged qualifying tie.

Nasarawa United chairman Solomon Babanjah said the invitations reflected the hard work, discipline and consistent performances of the players and their goalkeeper coach.

He added that the call-ups underlined the club’s role in developing players for national assignments.

“It’s heartwarming as a club to have your goalkeeper coach and four players given a national invitation, knowing the competitive nature of such opportunity.

“This underscores the technical quality embedded in our team, while the call-up of four players reaffirms our club’s status as a hub for nurturing elite talents for the nation,” Babanjah said.

He expressed confidence that the invitees would represent Nasarawa United and the state well, while justifying the confidence placed in them by the national team handlers.

Babanjah also thanked Nasarawa State Governor Abdullahi Sule for creating an environment conducive to talent development and supporting the welfare of the club.

He commended the state Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Jibril Abdullahi Ibrahim, Permanent Secretary Stephen Iliya Sasetu, ministry officials and other stakeholders for their support.

Nigeria will face DR Congo in the first leg of the U-23 AFCON qualifier at the TP Mazembe Stadium in Lubumbashi on Friday, 13 November, before hosting the return fixture at Remo Stars Stadium in Ikenne, Ogun State, on Tuesday, 17 November.

The winner over the two legs will advance to the final qualifying round of the U-23 AFCON in Egypt. The tournament will also serve as a qualifying competition for Africa’s representatives in men’s football at the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.

Nigeria won the Olympic men’s football gold medal at Atlanta 1996, claimed silver at Beijing 2008 and secured bronze at Rio 2016.

Nasarawa United currently occupy sixth position in the 2026/27 Nigeria Premier Football League table, with 14 points from nine matches.

The club announced the invitations in a statement signed by its director of media, Eche Amos, on 22 October 2026.