Zadok Yohanna Called Up for Nigeria U-23 Olympic Qualifiers
Brighton & Hove Albion winger Zadok Yohanna leads Nigeria's 23-man squad for the under-23 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against DR Congo. The first leg is November 13 in Lubumbashi, with the return on November 17 in Ikenne.
Nigeria coach Eric Chelle has named Brighton & Hove Albion winger Zadok Yohanna in a 23-man squad for this month's under-23 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against DR Congo, with the first leg set for November 13.
The Olympic Eagles are trying to reach the Olympic Games for the first time since 2016. They travel to Lubumbashi for the opening game, then host the return at Remo Stars Stadium in Ikenne on November 17.
The prize is a place at the 2027 Under-23 Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt. That tournament forms part of Africa's route to the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
Beating DR Congo would send Nigeria into the final qualifying round in March. Seven places, alongside hosts Egypt, will be decided there.
Yohanna and Nwoko lead the list
Yohanna is 19. He joined Brighton from Swedish club AIK on a five-year contract this offseason, after starting out at Nigeria's Ikon Allah Football Academy. In Sweden he contributed five goals and four assists in 18 league and cup appearances.
He received his first senior Nigeria invitation for the Unity Cup in May but missed it. AIK declined to release him, saying he was in the final stages of rehabilitation from injury.
Fulham midfielder Chibuzo Nwoko, 20, is also in the squad. Known as Chibby, he made his senior debut under Chelle and started Nigeria's 3-3 friendly draw against Russia in Nizhny Novgorod last month. He played 83 minutes before Vince Osuji replaced him.
Nwoko is a former England under-18 international. He came through at Fulham after time in Chelsea's youth system, and he spent a loan spell at Forest Green Rovers in January.
Russia friendly veterans
Several others carry experience from the Russia game. Goalkeeper Samuel James and midfielders Aderemi Adeoye and Wilfred George Igor also started. Forwards Umar Abubakar, Abdullahi Umar and Peter Edokpolor came off the bench, as did Osuji.
Benfica's Edokpolor scored Nigeria's second goal as the Super Eagles recovered from 3-1 down to draw.
Some squad members have senior call-ups but no senior caps. Ikorodu City goalkeeper Michael Atata has been invited several times. Basel defender Victory Akpe was selected for the Russia friendly but withdrew, and Reims midfielder John Otomewo replaced him.
Chelle also picked players with youth-tournament experience. Molde midfielder Daniel Daga was part of the Flying Eagles' run to the quarterfinals of the 2023 Under-20 World Cup. Sporting Supreme forward Abdulmuiz Adeleke scored twice against Togo at the 2024 WAFU B Under-17 Championship.
Nigeria won bronze at the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, after gold at Atlanta 1996 and silver at Beijing 2008. It remains Africa's most successful team in men's Olympic football.
The seven Nigeria-based players are due to leave ahead of the first leg at Stade TP Mazembe. The return fixture, four days later, will decide whether Nigeria's bid advances to the final qualifying round.
