Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle dey set to use Nigeria proposed friendly against Russia on October 6 to begin building a new U23 side for the country bid to qualify for Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.
Chelle, wey also dey oversee the U23 national team, expected to hand opportunities to several young overseas-based players as e begin process of identifying strong pool for the Olympic qualifying campaign.
Na gathered say at least 10 U23-eligible players don dey earmarked for the Russia friendly, including Wilfred George of Kristiansund BK, Ridwan Popoola of Kisvárda, Stephen Michael Fumen of Vendsyssel FF, Sani Suleiman of Al Qadsiah and Peter Edokpolor of Benfica.
Others reportedly being considered na Victory Akpe of FC Basel, Fulham youngster Chibuzo Nwoko, Abdullahi Umar of Hradec Králové, Brighton’s Zadok Yohanna and Derby County midfielder David Ozoh.
The exercise expected to different from the squad Chelle go use for Nigeria 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying assignments, allowing the technical crew to concentrate on younger players against Russia.
The friendly particularly important because Nigeria don endure prolonged absence from men Olympic football tournament. The country last appear for Rio 2016, where the Dream Team win bronze, after previously claim gold for Atlanta 1996 and silver for Beijing 2008. Nigeria subsequently fail to qualify for Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024, making the Los Angeles 2028 campaign another opportunity to restore the country proud Olympic football tradition.
Chelle also expected to look beyond foreign-based players. Outstanding U23-eligible performers for Nigeria Premier Football League fit dey monitored and brought into the programme as preparations progress. The idea na to create a wider pool wey combine promising foreign-based youngsters with the best young players from the domestic league rather than waiting until the qualifying competition begins before assembling a team.
