Chelle Leaves Olympic Eagles Camp To Focus On Super Eagles’ AFCON Qualifiers
Super Eagles head coach Éric Chelle has left the Olympic Eagles’ training camp to focus on Nigeria’s crucial 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying matches against Tanzania.
The decision means Chelle will miss the Olympic Eagles’ two-legged U-23 AFCON qualifying tie against the Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo), with assistant coach Deniran Ortega set to take charge of the team in his absence.
The development follows a fixture clash between both Nigerian teams, whose matches fall within the same international window.
The Olympic Eagles are scheduled to face DR Congo in the first leg in Lubumbashi on Friday, November 13, the same day the Super Eagles host Tanzania at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo.
The return leg will take place on Tuesday, November 17, at the Remo Stars Stadium in Ikenne, also coinciding with Nigeria’s second meeting with Tanzania.
Ortega, who has been working with the home-based players since the U-23 camp opened two weeks ago, is expected to lead the technical crew alongside Ikorodu City head coach Bright Ozebagbe.
According to ACL Sports, Ortega supervised most of the team's training sessions on Thursday and was also in charge during their friendly victory over Grassrunners on Friday.
Meanwhile, Chelle has named a 23-man squad for the Super Eagles’ double-header against Tanzania, including Brighton forward Zadok Yohanna and Molde FC midfielder Daniel Daga.
Goalkeeper Michael Atata and junior international Abdulmuiz Adeleke are also among the players invited, while Atata will battle SJK FC’s Samuel James and home-based Clinton Andy for a place in the goalkeeping department.
Other invited players include defenders Victory Akpe, Vince Osuji and Emmanuel Ochobi; midfielders Chibuzor Nwoko and Aderemi Adeoye; and forwards Peter Edopolokor and Umar Abubakar.
The seven home-based players in the squad are expected to travel to DR Congo on Tuesday ahead of the first leg at the Stade TP Mazembe in Lubumbashi.
Nigeria secured a bye in the first qualifying round and must eliminate DR Congo over two legs to advance to the final qualifying round.
The 2027 U-23 Africa Cup of Nations will be hosted by Egypt and will also serve as the qualifying tournament for Africa’s representatives in the men’s football event at the 2028 Olympic Games.
