Chelle Shortlists 35 Foreign-Based Players for Nigeria U23 Olympic Project

Chelle Shortlists 35 Foreign-Based Players for Nigeria U23 Olympic Project

By Our Reporter 

Nigeria U23 head coach Eric Chelle has reportedly identified 35 foreign-based players eligible to represent the Olympic team as preparations begin for the country's next Olympic qualification campaign, BSNSports.com.ng reports.

According to a report by Daily Post, Chelle, who also serves as head coach of the Super Eagles, has intensified efforts to assemble a competitive squad capable of returning Nigeria to the men's football tournament at the Olympic Games after missing the last two editions.

The Malian tactician is said to be scouting extensively across both the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) and European clubs, with a focus on identifying the country's most promising young talents.

Among the overseas players reportedly under consideration are newly signed Brighton & Hove Albion winger Zadok Yohanna, RB Leipzig winger Suleiman Sani and Famalicão forward Umar Abubakar, all of whom have attracted attention for their performances at club level.

The reported shortlist also features Promise Meliga of Norway's Kristiansund BK, Mubarak Suleiman of Slavia Prague, Hafiz Umar of French side Reims, Emmanuel Michael of Austrian club LASK, Emmanuel Godwin of Czech Republic outfit FK Pardubice and Akpe Victory, who plays for Hungarian side Zalaegerszeg.

The breadth of the reported list reflects the growing presence of young Nigerian players across Europe's top and emerging football leagues, with talents currently developing in England, Germany, Portugal, France, Austria, the Czech Republic, Norway and Hungary.

Chelle is expected to combine the best-performing foreign-based prospects with standout home-based players as he builds a squad for the upcoming qualification series.

Nigeria last competed in the men's Olympic football tournament at the 2016 Rio Games, where the U23 Eagles won the bronze medal. The team has since failed to qualify for the Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024 Olympic football competitions.

Although no official squad has been announced, the reported watchlist provides an early indication of the players being monitored as Chelle begins preparations for the U23 team's forthcoming assignments and the quest to return Nigeria to Olympic football.