Olympic Eagles begin U-23 AFCON Qualifier preparations in Ikenne
The maiden training session took place at the Remo Stars Stadium under the supervision of head coach Eric Chelle, as the team began its build-up to the crucial qualifying fixtures.
Nigeria’s U-23 national team, the Olympic Eagles, have commenced preparations for next month’s U-23 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against the Democratic Republic of Congo, with 28 players participating in Tuesday’s opening training session in Ikenne, Ogun State.
The session took place at the Remo Stars Stadium under the supervision of head coach Eric Chelle, as the team began its build-up to the crucial qualifying fixtures.
However, Rangers International trio Chimobi Igwilo, Kenneth Igboke and Chibueze Oputa were excused from the session following their arrival from Algeria, where they featured for the Enugu-based club against MC Alger in the CAF Champions League.
The Olympic Eagles are currently based in Ijebu Ode, where they are staying at the AM2PM Hotel. The team will continue its training programme at the Remo Stars Stadium, which is also expected to stage the return leg of the qualifiers.
Despite the rainy weather on Tuesday evening, the players went through a light session designed to ease them into the preparations. The training began with stretching and muscle-relaxing exercises before progressing to ball work, passing drills and small-sided games.
The four goalkeepers in camp; Chinemerem Olughu, Clinton Andy, Ebenezer Harcourt and Michael Atata, initially worked separately under the supervision of goalkeeper trainer Olatunji Baruwa before the session continued.
The coaching crew has scheduled two training sessions for Wednesday at the same venue, with the first starting at 7:30am and the second at 5pm, as preparations gather momentum ahead of the qualifiers.
The squad list features players drawn from several Nigeria Premier Football League clubs and other domestic sides, with representatives from Rangers International, Rivers United, Sporting Lagos, Ikorodu City, Nasarawa United, Warri Wolves, Enyimba and Bendel Insurance, among others.
Chinemerem Olughu — Nasarawa United Clinton Andy — Rivers United Ebenezer Harcourt — Sporting Lagos Michael Atata — Ikorodu City
Gift Subi — Warri Wolves Hillary Zion — Sporting Lagos Emmanuel Utake — Rivers United Marvelous Freedom — Ikorodu City Odinaka Alfred — Nasarawa United Emmanuel Ochobi — Rivers United Aliu Sugau — Barau FC Kenneth Igboke — Rangers International Chibueze Oputa — Rangers International
Freeman Wuchirwe — Bendel Insurance Victor Samuel — Sporting Lagos Umar Mohammed — Nasarawa United Lucky Oraro — Warri Wolves Aderemi Adeoye — Ikorodu City Sani Shuaibu — Warri Wolves Muhammad Salihu — Sporting Lagos Jude Eventus — Warri Wolves
Junior Ikechukwu — Ikorodu City Timothy Zechariah — Rivers United Williams Wonah — Enyimba FC Ayoola Olaniyan — Sporting Lagos Chijioke Samuel — Enyimba FC Jofrank Joshua — Nasarawa United Alex Oweifaleya — Bendel Insurance Abdulmuiz Adeleke — Sporting Supreme Habila Simon — Wikki Tourists Chimobi Igwilo — Rangers International
With the qualifiers approaching, Chelle and his technical crew will be keen to use the coming sessions to build the team’s fitness, tactical understanding and cohesion ahead of the two-legged contest against DR Congo.
- olympic
- eagles
- afcon
- qualifier
- ikenne
- preparation
- maiden
- training
